Voted Best Bakery in Litchfield Country for Five consecutive years; BouNom Café and bakery is quickly emerging as a Northeastern staple for top quality pastries, coffee, and now-Swedish Candy.
Since late winter, Swedish candy has swarmed social media boasting a unique selection of texture and flavor. THS seniors Grace Dohanagy and Jayden Lin and I stopped by BouNom Emporium, a newly added sweet-shop. Together, we tried an assortment of sweets ranging from the famous BuBs’ fizzy skulls’ to swirls of licorice, and colorful assortments of ‘fizzy’ gummies.
“From the gelatin to the sugary powder used, these candies leave you a sense of satisfaction that’s unknown from American candy” – Jayden Lin
The interior of the shop was welcoming and bright; decorated with pastel tones, floral motifs, and a conversation pit for visitors to enjoy their sweets. The candy selection was vibrant, encompassing all the (well-known) textures of Swedish candy. During the trip we had the chance to meet Khamla, owner and head chef of BuoNoms bakery and Emporium. She was kind enough to offer us a few complimentary treats, sharing a little bit of the business’s history along the way. BouNom is a tribute to Khamlas parents- Nom and Bounlieng who traveled from Laos to the United States in 1981. The bakeries’ french-inspired pastries and bright atmosphere reflects their bold spirits and love of French cuisine.
We tried the scallion roll and Strawberry Fraisier cake. The scallion roll was surprisingly well balanced, with a strong onion flavor that was supported with a slight sweetness from the pastry’s fluffy texture. Jayden described it as the “Perfect balance between salty, savory and sweet. The best blend of an onion’s flavor profile.” The Strawberry Frasier was a great contrast, boasting a soft milky cake topped with whipped frosting and fresh strawberries in between. The fruit carried sweet flavor, with a slightly bitter undertone adding balance to the cake. Grace complimented the pastries authentic taste:
“The cake isn’t too sweet, the fruit brings the fresh factor. It reminds me of a tres leches base [and] theres a fresh strawberry taste, not artificial at all.”
Overall, we were amazed at the freshness and variety BouNom had to offer-this is definitely a must-visit for any foodie or candy lover!
