Austria's Traditional Souvenirs: Cultural Gifts And Memories

Austria is a treasure trove of unique souvenirs, from mouth-watering sweets to exquisite handicrafts. When it comes to traditional souvenirs, Austria offers a plethora of options that reflect its rich culture and heritage. Here are some examples:

- Mozart Balls: These are small chocolates with a pistachio marzipan and nougat centre, encased in dark chocolate. The original Mozart Balls, created in 1890, can only be found in Salzburg, crafted by the Fürst family.

- Snow Globes: Did you know that snow globes originated in Austria? The traditional Austrian snow globes, invented by Perzy in 1900, often depict Viennese landmarks. The Snow Globe Museum in Vienna offers a glimpse into their history and a chance to purchase authentic globes.

- Austrian Porcelain and Glass: Porcelain has been an Austrian tradition since 1718, initially crafted for the royal court. Austrian glasses hold similar significance, with renowned manufacturers like Lobemayr supplying the Viennese court.

- Zotter Chocolate: This unique brand from Styria combines cheese and dark chocolate for an unexpected flavour.

- Manner Wafers: A must-try Austrian treat! Manner Wafers are a favourite among Austrians of all ages, with the company offering a range of flavours like hazelnut, chocolate, and vanilla.

- Wine: Austria boasts a thriving wine culture, particularly renowned for its Grüner Veltliner, a popular dry white wine.

- Swarovski Crystals: Swarovski has been crafting crystals in Austria since 1895, with a museum and showroom in Wattens showcasing their dazzling creations.

- Traditional Austrian Attire: Tracht, the traditional attire of the Alpine regions, includes Lederhosen for men and Dirndls for women. You can find these outfits in both children and adult sizes.

- Gustav Klimt Merchandise: Klimt, a renowned symbolist artist, is celebrated in Austria. His works, including The Kiss, can be found adorning various souvenirs such as t-shirts, mugs, and umbrellas.

- Austrian Sausages: Austrians savour their dry sausages, which are cold-smoked and can be enjoyed straight from the package.

Austrian porcelain or glass

Austrian porcelain and glassware are highly regarded, with a long history of production dating back to the 18th century. Here's a more detailed look at these traditional souvenirs:

Austrian Porcelain

Porcelain has been crafted in Austria since 1718, initially for the royal court. Today, it is a traditional Austrian heirloom, commonly given as a wedding gift. Two renowned manufacturers of Austrian porcelain are Gmundner Keramik and Augarten. Gmundner Keramik is based in Gmunden, Upper Austria, and offers a range of products, including vases and tea sets. Augarten, located in Vienna, is another prestigious manufacturer with a long history. They produce a variety of items, such as vases, tableware, and figurines, all bearing the distinctive blue-striped shield as a mark of authenticity.

Austrian Glassware

J. & L. Lobmeyr is an iconic Viennese glassmaker founded in 1823, once the main supplier of glass to the Viennese court. They are known for their elegant drinkware, chandeliers, and lamps, as well as their historical influence on design and engineering. Their flagship store is located in central Vienna. Another renowned Austrian glassware company is Riedel, established in Bohemia in 1756 but now located in Kufstein, Tyrol. Their wine glasses are widely sought-after, known for their precision and quality.

Mozartkugeln (Mozart balls)

Mozartkugeln, or Mozart balls, are a traditional Austrian sweet treat. They are small, round confections made of pistachio marzipan and nougat, coated in dark chocolate. Mozart balls were created in 1890 by Salzburg confectioner Paul Fürst and named after the famous Austrian composer, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Fürst was inspired by Mozart's music while creating the confection. Mozart balls are now widely available in Austria and can be found in German, Swiss, and Dutch supermarkets. They are also available online from a number of retailers.

The original recipe for Mozartkugeln involves creating a ball of marzipan combined with pistachio and covered in a layer of nougat. This ball is then placed on a small wooden stick and coated in dark chocolate. The stick is then placed vertically, with the ball at the top, on a platform to allow the chocolate to cool off and harden. Finally, the stick is removed, and the hole that it leaves behind is filled with chocolate coating. The balls remain fresh for about eight weeks at room temperature.

Today, Fürst's descendants continue to manufacture handmade Original Salzburger Mozartkugeln, while similar products have been developed by numerous confectioners, often industrially produced. Various companies now produce Mozartkugel products, and the variety of pack sizes, shaped boxes, and alternatives (such as bars or coins) allow for a range of gift options. Mozart balls are typically sold in presentable packaging and can be purchased in most supermarkets or souvenir shops.

Mozart balls are a popular souvenir and gift choice when travelling to Austria. They are produced in Salzburg (by Mirabell) and Vienna (by Victor Schmidt and Heindl). They are often packaged in gift boxes or bags, with quantities ranging from 6 to 100 pieces. Mozart balls can also be found in the form of hearts, rounds, transparent boxes, violins, chocolate bars, and medallions.

Zotter chocolate

Zotter is a chocolate manufacturer based in Styria, Austria, founded by Josef and Ulrike Zotter. Josef Zotter is a chef who has worked in some of the best restaurants of his time, including in Vienna and New York. In 1987, Josef and Ulrike opened a confectionery shop in Glacisstraße, Austria, where they sold confectionery such as "hemp slices" and "funny pies". In 1992, Josef invented hand-scooped chocolate, which brought him regional fame and prompted him to transform his business into a bean-to-bar craft chocolate maker.

Zotter is known for its inventive creations and experimental flavours, such as cheese, bacon, craft beer, and pigs' blood. They have over 500 different flavours of chocolate, including chocolate hearts, chocolates with fillings, chocolate rings, and chocolate for baking. They also offer chocolate tastings and tours of their factory, which is located in Riegersburg, in the eastern part of Styria, southeast of Graz. The factory tour includes a short film about the Zotter family, their beginnings, and their dedication to producing chocolate from fair-trade organic beans. Visitors can also learn about the entire process of making chocolate, from cocoa beans to the final product. The tour takes about an hour and a half, and at the end, there is a zoo with farm animals and playgrounds.

Zotter sources its cacao directly from cooperatives and individual farmers, purchasing only Fair Trade-certified ingredients. The company is committed to sustainability and uses only organic and fairly traded ingredients. They have been recognised as one of the most sustainable businesses in Austria and have won awards for their products, including the "Best Organic Product 2025" award for their "50% Oat Drink" from the Labooko range.

Manner wafers

The distinctive feature of Manner wafers is their pink packaging with a picture of St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, which is also the company's logo. The cathedral holds a special significance for the company as its founder, Josef Manner, opened his first shop in the shadow of the cathedral, and the company still has its headquarters and a factory there. The wafers are available in a variety of sizes, including small packs that can be purchased from any supermarket for around 2 EUR, as well as larger packs and gift boxes.

Manner also offers a range of souvenirs, such as a wafer dispenser, a folding umbrella, a baseball cap, a lanyard, and a knife. These souvenirs can be purchased from the Manner flagship stores in Vienna, such as the one located at Stephansplatz 7, next to the cathedral.

Austrian wine

Austria has a long history of winemaking, with archaeological evidence of grape growing in Traisental dating back 4,000 years. Austrian wines are predominantly dry white wines, often made from the Grüner Veltliner grape. However, about 30% of Austrian wines are red, made from Blaufränkisch, Pinot Noir, and Zweigelt, a grape bred at Klosterneuburg in the 1920s.

Austria is also known for its environmentally conscious viticulture, with almost 12,000 hectares of certified sustainable vineyards. The country has set benchmarks in sustainable wine production, and its membership in the European Union has further prompted revisions to its wine laws, including the implementation of the DAC system of geographical appellations.

• Weingut Bründlmayer: This winery offers a range of white wines made from Grüner Veltliner and Riesling grapes, as well as red wines from Blaufränkisch and Zweigelt.
• FX Pichler: This winery produces high-quality white wines, including Riesling and Grüner Veltliner.
• Nikolaihof: Specialising in Grüner Veltliner, their wines range from dry to sweet styles, with the Smaragd line being particularly notable.
• Weingut Hirsch: Another producer of Grüner Veltliner, their wines showcase the unique terroirs of Austria.

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