Austria's Chocolate-Making Heritage: A Sweet History

Austria is known for its love of chocolate. The country is home to many innovative, smaller, boutique chocolatiers, as well as larger companies such as Zotter, Josef Manner & Comp AG, and Heindl. Vienna, the capital city, has a long and rich chocolate history. The city's former royal court confectioner, Demel, is a favourite among locals and tourists alike for its decadent chocolates and Sachertorte, a famous chocolate cake invented in the city in 1832. Vienna is also home to the Viennese Museum of Chocolate, where visitors can learn about the history of chocolate making in Austria and enjoy guided tastings.

Mozartkugeln: a round, layered confectionery with marzipan, praline and chocolate layers

Mozartkugeln are round, layered chocolates with a history dating back to the late 1800s. They are named after the Austrian composer Amadeus Mozart, whose portrait is often featured on the wrapper. Mozartkugeln are made of nougat, marzipan, and pistachios, wrapped in layers and shaped into a ball. They are then coated in bitter dark chocolate.

Mozartkugeln are considered a symbol of Austrian cuisine and can be found in almost any store in Austria, particularly in Salzburg, Mozart's birthplace. They are a popular souvenir for tourists and come in various packaging styles, including violin-shaped gift boxes.

Several Austrian chocolate brands have created their own versions of Mozartkugeln, including Mirabell, Victor Schmidt, Manner, Hofbauer, and Lindt (produced in Switzerland). Each brand may have slight differences in taste, but the traditional Austrian Mozartkugel is a unique and delightful experience.

If you want to taste the original recipe, you can visit Konditorei Fürst in Vienna, where the descendants of the inventor continue to craft Mozartkugeln following the original formula.

Zotter: a modern legend, experimenting with unique flavours like marzipan with egg liquor, port wine and figs, or chilli currant ganache

Zotter is a modern legend in the world of chocolate, with a reputation for creating unique flavour combinations. The brand is widely available in supermarkets across Vienna and is known for its ethical fair-trade practices and unusual flavour combinations.

Zotter chocolates are handmade and the brand is innovative in its approach to the creation of the world's favourite sweet treat. The company has experimented with highly unusual combinations, including cheese, tequila with salt and lemon, and raspberry, coconut and trout. For those who prefer more traditional flavours, Zotter also offers a delicious marzipan.

The Currant'n'Chili flavour features a tangy-fruity berry ganache with currant juice, currant chocolate, and a hint of white chocolate. A thin layer of dark chocolate with a slight tingle of chilli provides a unique sensory experience.

The Port Wine & Figs flavour is another unique creation, combining the classic combination of figs in port with a delicate touch of maple sugar. The Portuguese Reserve Ruby Port by Romariz, matured in oak barrels, adds a fruity flavour to the dark port ganache. Bits of fig marinated in port provide a crunchy surprise, and the chocolate is covered in 70% dark chocolate and sweetened only with maple sugar.

Zotter's chocolates are made from bean to bar at their in-house factory in Austria, and the company is Fair Trade verified. They are a member of the WFTO (World Fair Trade Organization), ensuring compliance with fair trade principles such as fair prices, transparency, environmental care, and the rejection of child labour.

Manner: famous for their Neapolitan-style wafers with hazelnut cocoa cream, they also make pure dark chocolate bars and chocolate cream tartlets

Manner is a well-known Austrian company that has been producing its classic Neapolitan wafers with hazelnut cocoa cream for over 100 years. The Original Neapolitan Wafers, invented in 1898, are Manner's best-selling product and have become a symbol of Viennese culture and lifestyle. The wafers consist of five layers of tender wafers filled with four layers of delicate hazelnut cocoa cream, containing 12% hazelnuts. They are cut into bite-sized pieces and sold in convenient 75g packages.

In addition to their famous wafers, Manner also offers a variety of other chocolate products. One such product is their pure dark chocolate bars, which are available in different sizes and flavours. For example, the Manner Chocolate Mozart Cubes, which are traditional Austrian sweets filled with nougat marzipan cream.

Manner also produces the Manner Cocoa and Hazelnut Cream Tartlets, which have been one of the company's most popular products since 1996. These tartlets consist of three layers of crispy Manner wafer filled with hazelnut cocoa cream and are known for their special cocoa taste, achieved through the company's in-house cocoa-roasting process. The tartlets are produced in a round, handy shape, making them perfect for snacking.

Manner is committed to sustainability and quality, and their products are made without hydrogenated fats, artificial colourings, or preservatives. The company also adheres to the principles of sustainable cocoa farming, ensuring that their cocoa is 100% Fairtrade.

Hofbauer: one of the oldest chocolate makers in Austria, known for their classic pralines, chocolate cakes, tarts, bars and chocolate-covered fruit slices

Hofbauer is one of the oldest chocolate makers in Austria, established in 1882 in Vienna. The company was founded by Carl Hofbauer and his wife Juliane, who opened a bakery in the Vienna 5th district Margareten. Carl Hofbauer was a trained baker, born in 1855 in the Austrian wine quarter.

Hofbauer is known for its classic pralines, made with carefully selected ingredients and crafted with particular care and attention to detail. The company also produces chocolate-covered fruit slices, including hand-picked apricots, plums, pineapple pieces, and orangette, covered in dark chocolate.

In addition to their pralines and chocolate-covered fruit, Hofbauer offers a diverse range of products, including chocolate cakes, tarts, and bars. Their Deluxe Collection and marzipan assortments are particularly popular.

Hofbauer's confectionery has become synonymous with fine Austrian chocolates and is known for its high quality and Viennese charm. The company's sweet creations have attracted customers beyond the borders of Vienna, and its name has become synonymous with the highest quality in confectionery.

Heindl: a socially-conscious, experimental chocolatier using exclusively Fair Trade-sourced ingredients, known for their Naschherzerl (snacking hearts)

Heindl is a traditional Austrian chocolatier founded in 1953 by master confectioner Walter Heindl Sr. and his wife Maria in Vienna's 3rd district. The company is known for its classic Viennese confectionery, including liqueur chocolates and fruit-filled delights. Heindl's commitment to combining fruit with chocolate has resulted in popular creations such as orange wedges, jelly fruits, and praline specialties. Their Mozartkugeln, Sissitaler, and Naschherzerl (snacking hearts) are also well-loved.

Heindl stands out for its socially-conscious practices, sourcing only Fair Trade ingredients for its chocolates. This commitment to ethical sourcing has earned them recognition, with their products being exported to various countries, including Slovakia, Poland, and Japan. They have also won the Austrian Export Prize in 1997.

The company has expanded over the years, with around 31 confectionery shops across Austria, including two traditional "Nowi" shops in Graz. Heindl's range of products is extensive, offering delights such as their Golden Nougat, Fire-Roasted Almonds, and various chocolate-covered treats. Their Naschherzerl, or snacking hearts, have become a signature offering, beloved by many.

Heindl's dedication to combining traditional confectionery with innovative flavour combinations has solidified its place as a beloved Austrian chocolatier, both locally and internationally. Their socially-conscious and experimental approach to chocolate-making has earned them a loyal following, and their confections continue to delight people worldwide.

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