Austria's Chocolate Delights: A Sweet Treat Adventure

Austria is famous for its chocolate, with Vienna producing some of Europe's finest. The country's chocolate history is long and rich, dating back to 1711 when Emperor Charles VI moved his court to Austria. The capital city is home to many chocolatiers, from the former royal court confectioner Demel to smaller, innovative boutiques such as Tiroler Edl. Austrian chocolate is known for its high quality and unique flavour combinations, with Zotter, a multi-award-winning bean-to-bar chocolatier, being the most famous.

Austrian chocolate is sourced and made sustainably

Zotter, a multi-award-winning bean-to-bar chocolatier founded in Austria in the late 1980s, is known for its quirky and spellbinding flavour combinations. The company is Fair Trade verified and has introduced its own FAIR principles, which ensure that they pay more than the world market price for beans, supporting local farmers. Their chocolate is produced sustainably in a state-of-the-art factory that runs on eco-power generated from cocoa bean shells.

Zotter claims to know every farmer who produces the ingredients that go into their chocolates, from cocoa farmers in Central and South America to local producers in Austria. Their entire production process, from 'bean to bar', takes place at their factory, where they create exotic flavours, from Goji berries to bacon.

Xocolat Manafaktur, located in Innenstadt, offers over thirty different chocolate bar brands, including Marou Chocolate, Francois Pralus, Domori, Original Beans, and Zotter. They also offer workshops on making confections and desserts, explaining the best way to handle refined chocolate and how to make extraordinary truffles and desserts.

Schoko Company, located in the historic Naschmarkt, is the home of Zotter chocolates in Vienna. Here, you will find the largest selection of Zotter chocolates in the city, as well as Styrian delicacies and a relaxing cafe.

Austrian chocolate is sourced and crafted with sustainability and ethical practices in mind, ensuring that every step of the process, from bean to bar, prioritises quality, fairness, and environmental responsibility.

Mozartkugeln: a popular souvenir

Mozartkugeln, or Mozart balls, are a popular souvenir from Austria. They were first made in 1890 in Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, and are now available in almost any store in the country. Mozartkugeln are round, layered confections with an innermost layer of marzipan, followed by praline and chocolate layers.

They are sold in boxes of 16 or 18 pieces, coated in either dark or white chocolate, and weighing 264g or 297g, respectively. In addition to the classic Mozartkugeln, there are also mini versions available, as well as milk chocolate tablets known as Salzburger Mozarttafel.

Mozartkugeln are not only a delicious treat but also a charming reminder of Austria's musical heritage, making them a perfect souvenir for visitors to the country.

Vienna's chocolate history

Today, Vienna is filled with chocolate shops, from historic confectioners to innovative, small boutique chocolatiers. Demel, the former royal court confectioner, is a favourite among locals and tourists alike for its decadent chocolates and Sachertorte. Altmann & Kühne, another elegant and old-fashioned chocolate shop on the busy shopping street of Graben, is known for its handmade Lilliput chocolate truffles.

For those seeking a more contemporary chocolate experience, the Xocolat Chocolate Factory offers chocolate bars, truffles, caramels, fudges, and liqueur chocolates. The factory also hosts special chocolate-making workshops where visitors can create their own chocolates.

The Naschmarkt market is home to several chocolatiers, including Eduard A Fruth, who produces chocolate blocks, truffles, tarts, and desserts with traditional French-style pastries and modern chocolate bars flavoured with anything from cognac to chilli. The Schoko Company, also located in Naschmarkt, specialises in organic and fair-trade chocolate, with a wide range of exotic flavours such as Goji berries and bacon created by Josef Zotter.

With its long and rich history, Vienna's chocolate scene offers a variety of decadent treats, making it a must-visit destination for chocolate lovers.

Boutique chocolatiers

Austria is home to many boutique chocolatiers, each with its own unique offerings and history. Here is an overview of some of the most notable boutique chocolatiers in Austria:

Tiroler Edle

Tiroler Edle is one of Austria's smaller, more innovative boutique chocolatiers. Their chocolate bars are made with organic cream from Tyrol grey cows and feature unique ingredients such as dried flowers, herbs, candied violets, and rose petals. Their products can be found at the gourmet emporium of Julius Meinl in Vienna, a fantastic spot to explore for chocolate enthusiasts.

Xocolat Manafaktur

With three locations in Vienna, Xocolat Manafaktur offers a wide range of craft chocolate bars from various brands, including Marou Chocolate, Francois Pralus, Domori, Original Beans, and Zotter. They also offer handcrafted confections and host special workshops where participants can learn the art of handling refined chocolate and creating extraordinary truffles and desserts.

Schoko Company

Located in the historic Naschmarkt, Schoko Company is the go-to place for Zotter chocolates in Vienna. They offer the largest selection of Zotter chocolates in the city, along with Styrian delicacies and a relaxing cafe. Josef Zotter, known as the Willy Wonka of Austria, is renowned for his ethical fair trade practices and experimental flavour combinations, such as bacon with chocolate.

Bonbons

Founded in 1936, Bonbons is the oldest sweet shop in Vienna. Located in the heart of Neubaus, they offer a wide range of sweet confections and chocolate bars, including their own Wiener brand. Their selection includes a handful of brands, with Zotter being a prominent choice.

Heindl

Heindl is a well-known chocolate shop founded in 1953 in Vienna's 5th district. Today, it is the largest confectionery in Austria, with over thirty retail shops throughout the country. They offer a variety of conventional Austrian confections and chocolates, making them a popular choice for locals and tourists alike.

These boutique chocolatiers showcase the creativity and passion of Austrian chocolatiers, offering unique flavour combinations and high-quality products that have gained recognition from chocolate enthusiasts around the world.

Chocolate workshops

Vienna is home to some of Europe's finest chocolate and has a long and rich history with the confectionery. The city has a plethora of chocolate shops and chocolatiers, with many offering chocolate-making workshops. Here are some of the top spots to indulge in your sweet tooth and learn about the art of chocolate-making:

Xocolat Manafaktur

Xocolat Manafaktur is a must-visit destination on your chocolate tour of Vienna. With over thirty different chocolate bar brands, they boast the largest craft chocolate bar selection in the city. Their selection includes renowned brands such as Marou Chocolate, Francois Pralus, Domori, Original Beans, and Zotter. In addition to their delicious handcrafted confections, they also host special workshops where chocolatiers teach the best techniques for handling refined chocolate and creating extraordinary truffles and desserts. The price for a workshop is €95 per person. Xocolat has three locations in Vienna: Freyung 2 in Innenstadt, Servitengasse 5 in Leopoldstadt, and Josefstädter Str. 16 in Neubau.

Schoko Company

Located in the historic Naschmarkt, Schoko Company is the go-to place for Zotter chocolates in Vienna. With the largest selection of Zotter chocolates in the city, you'll be spoiled for choice. Josef Zotter, known as the Willy Wonka of Austria, is renowned for his ethical fair trade practices and experimentation with unusual food combinations like bacon with chocolate. The shop also offers Styrian delicacies and a relaxing cafe to unwind in after exploring Naschmarkt. Schoko Company is found at Naschmarkt 326-331 and is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, and on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Bonbons

In the heart of Neubau, you'll find Bonbons, a classic Viennese sweet shop that offers everything a chocoholic could desire. Founded in 1936, Bonbons is the oldest sweet shop in Vienna. While their chocolate bar selection is limited, mainly featuring Zotter and their own Wiener brand, you'll still be able to indulge in various sweet confections. Bonbons is located at Neubaugasse 18 in Neubau and is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 6:30 pm, and on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Heindl

For those interested in tasting conventional Austrian confections, Heindl is the place to go. Founded in 1953 in Vienna's 5th district, Heindl has grown to become the largest confectionery in Austria, with over thirty retail shops throughout the country. You can visit their store at Stephansplatz 11, open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, and on Sundays from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Viennese Museum of Chocolate

If you want to delve into the history of chocolate-making in Austria and learn about the process, the Viennese Museum of Chocolate at 23 Willendorfer Gasse is the perfect spot. Guided tours are available, offering an insightful experience into the world of chocolate, complete with tastings.

So, whether you're a chocolate enthusiast, a history buff, or simply looking for a sweet treat, these chocolate workshops in Vienna are sure to satisfy your cravings and provide a delightful experience.

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