The History Of Austrian Chocolate: Origins And Influences

where does austrian chocolate come from

Austrian chocolate has a lot to offer, from traditional marzipan and nougat to quirky flavour combinations like cheese, tequila with salt and lemon, and raspberry, coconut and trout. Zotter, a multi-award-winning, experimental chocolatier, is a favourite among Austrians and offers chocolate tours and tasting sessions at their Riegersburg factory. Other popular Austrian chocolates include Manner's Original Neapolitan Wafers, Milka's Milketten Haselnuss, and the Mozartkugel, which was first made in 1890 in Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart.

Characteristics Values
Popular Austrian chocolate brands Zotter, Manner, Milka, Mirabell, Ritter Sport, Lindt, Leschanz, Suchard, Haribo, Josef Zotter, Ildefonso
Unusual flavour combinations Cheese, tequila with salt and lemon, raspberry, coconut and trout, poppyseed-cinnamon, pumpkin brittle with marzipan and champagne, grilled walnuts with marzipan
Traditional flavours Hazelnut, apricot, cranberry, marzipan, nougat
Austrian chocolate specialities Mozartkugel, chocolate pralines, chocolate balls, chocolate wafers
Other confectionery Tartlets, ladyfingers, plum rounds, nougat cubes
Production Some Austrian chocolates are produced in Austria, some in Germany

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Austrian chocolate brands

Austria is home to many chocolate brands, from popular favourites to quirky, independent chocolatiers. One of the most well-known Austrian chocolates is the Salzburger Mozartkugel, made by Mirabell. These chocolates were first created in 1890 in Salzburg, Mozart's birthplace. They are now easily found in most stores in Austria.

Another famous brand of chocolate in Austria is Milka, with popular varieties including Milka Milketten Haselnuss (Milka Milketten hazelnut), Milka Almond Caramel, and Milka Peanut Caramel. Other popular brands include Lindt, Leschanz, and Suchard.

Zotter is an award-winning, family-owned, bean-to-bar chocolatier founded in the late 1980s. They are known for their quirky and unusual flavour combinations, such as poppy seed-cinnamon, grilled walnuts with marzipan, and champagne. Zotter is Fair Trade verified and goes beyond this by introducing their own FAIR principles, ensuring they pay more than the world market price for beans, supporting local farmers. Their chocolate is produced sustainably in a factory powered by eco-power generated from cocoa bean shells.

Other Austrian chocolate brands include Manner, which produces Original Neapolitan Wafers, a layered confectionery with wafers and hazelnut cocoa cream, as well as chocolate cream wafers, vanilla cream wafers, and more. One of Manner's partner brands is Ildefonso, which produces classic Austrian Nougat confectionery, including nougat bonbonniere, nougat eggs, and nougat cubes.

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Austrian chocolate history

Austrian chocolate has a rich history that dates back to the 19th century. While some popular chocolates in Austria are not originally from the country, there are several Austrian chocolate brands that have gained recognition for their unique and delicious offerings.

One of the earliest mentions of Austrian chocolate takes us back to 1880, when master confectioner Victor Schmidt created the seven-layered nougat cube, which became a favourite among chocolate enthusiasts. This led to the establishment of the brand Ildefonso, known for its classic Austrian Nougat confectionery. Another well-known brand, Casali, has its roots in 1792, initially as a spirits and liquor company before branching out into confectionery.

Moving into the 20th century, Mozartkugel chocolates were introduced in 1890, crafted in Salzburg, the birthplace of the renowned composer Mozart. These chocolates became a popular choice in Austria and are often sold as souvenirs. The same year, in 1898, Josef Manner & Comp AG introduced their Original Neapolitan Wafers, a layered confectionery with tender wafers and hazelnut cocoa cream. Manner has since expanded its product line to include various wafer flavours and other treats.

In the late 1980s, the Zotter family founded the bean-to-bar chocolatier brand Zotter, which has become a beloved Austrian chocolate brand known for its quirky and delightful flavour combinations. Zotter is committed to fair trade practices and sustainability, powering its state-of-the-art factory with eco-power generated from cocoa bean shells. Their innovative flavours, such as poppy seed-cinnamon and pumpkin brittle with marzipan, have earned them a spot in the Top 25 Chocolatiers in the World List in 2015.

Other popular chocolate brands in Austria include Milka, with its range of milk chocolate varieties, and Ritter Sport, a German brand widely available in Austrian stores, offering flavours like Half Bitter, Strawberry Yoghurt, and Alpine Milk.

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Austrian chocolate flavours

Austrian chocolate is renowned worldwide, with many popular brands and flavours to choose from. While some Austrian chocolates are not originally from the country, they have production plants in Austria, and some have been around for over a century.

One of the most famous Austrian chocolates is the Mozartkugel, which was first made in 1890 in Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart. These chocolates are round, with an innermost layer of marzipan, followed by praline and chocolate layers. They are a popular souvenir from Austria and can be found in almost any store in the country.

Another well-known Austrian chocolate brand is Zotter, founded in the late 1980s by the Zotter family. Zotter is a multi-award-winning bean-to-bar chocolatier known for its experimental and unusual flavour combinations. Their flavours include poppy seed-cinnamon, pumpkin brittle with marzipan, champagne, grilled walnuts with marzipan, cheese, tequila with salt and lemon, and raspberry, coconut and trout. Zotter offers a chocolate tour at their Riegersburg province location in Styria, where visitors can also participate in a tasting session.

Other popular Austrian chocolate brands include Manner, which is famous for its Original Neapolitan Wafers, a layered confectionery with alternating layers of wafers and hazelnut cocoa cream. The company also offers a range of other products, including Chocolate Cream Wafers, Vanilla Cream Wafers, and Plum Rounds.

Ildefonso is another classic Austrian chocolate brand, dating back to 1880 when master confectioner Victor Schmidt created a seven-layered nougat cube. Their products include the Ildefonso Bonbonniere, Ildefonso Eggs, and Ildefonso Nougat Cubes.

Other popular chocolate brands in Austria include Milka, with flavours such as Milketten hazelnut, almond caramel, peanut caramel, and raisins and nuts; Ritter Sport, with flavours like Half Bitter, Strawberry and Yoghurt, Nougat, and Alpine Milk; and Lindt, Leschanz, and Suchard.

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Austrian chocolate tours

Austria is known for its delectable chocolates, and there are many chocolate tours to choose from. Here is a list of some of the best Austrian chocolate tours:

Zotter Chocolate Tour

Zotter is a well-known, multi-award-winning Austrian chocolatier that offers a chocolate tour at its factory in Riegersburg, Styria. The tour includes access to their tasting session, where you can sample their unique flavour combinations, such as poppyseed-cinnamon, pumpkin brittle with marzipan, and grilled walnuts with marzipan chocolate. Zotter is also Fair Trade verified and uses eco-power generated from cocoa bean shells in its state-of-the-art factory.

Urban Adventures' Good Evening Vienna! Walking Tour

This tour includes a "chocolate stop" at the Zotter shop in Vienna's Nashmarkt, where you can indulge in some of Zotter's delicious chocolate offerings. In addition to chocolate, the tour also includes stops at some of the city's trendiest neighbourhoods, where you can learn about the best places to eat, drink, and enjoy the local culture.

Lindt Chocolate Museum Tour

The Lindt Chocolate Museum offers an interactive, guided tour that takes you on a journey through the history and production of chocolate. The tour includes tastings of their famous LINDOR creations, as well as the opportunity to taste ingredients and preliminary products used in chocolate production. The museum also has a glass-windowed chocolate factory, where you can watch the small chocolate bars being made.

Culinary Walking Tour of Vienna

This 2.5-hour culinary walking tour of Vienna includes stops at some of the city's best bakeries, pastry shops, and chocolatiers. You'll get to sample a variety of treats, including Viennese breads, chocolate pralines, and ham. The tour also includes a private wine tasting at the famous Kipferlhaus.

Salzburg Cooking Class

For those who want to learn how to make their own Austrian chocolate specialties, this cooking class in Salzburg is a great option. Under the guidance of a chef, you'll learn to make two of the country's beloved desserts: apple strudel and the signature soufflé of Salzburger Nockerl. The class also includes a bowl of goulash soup and a small-group experience, limited to just five people.

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Austrian chocolate shops

Austria is home to many chocolate shops, with Vienna being a hub for chocolate lovers. One of the most popular shops in Vienna is Bonbons, a classic Viennese sweet shop in the heart of Neubau. Founded in 1936, Bonbons is the oldest sweet shop in Vienna and offers everything a chocoholic could desire, from sweet confections to chocolate bars. Another must-visit chocolate shop in Vienna is Heindl, the largest confectionery in Austria with over thirty retail shops throughout the country.

If you're looking for craft chocolate bars, Xocolat Manafaktur in Innenstadt is the place to go. They offer the largest craft chocolate bar selection in Vienna, with brands like Marou Chocolate, Francois Pralus, Domori, Original Beans, and Zotter. They also host workshops where you can learn how to make your own confections and desserts using refined chocolate techniques.

For those who want to explore beyond Vienna, Zotter Schokolade GmbH in the Riegersburg province of Styria offers a chocolate tour and tasting session. Zotter is a multi-award-winning bean-to-bar chocolatier known for its quirky and spellbinding flavour combinations. Their sustainable production methods and commitment to fair trade practices have earned them fans all over Austria and beyond.

Other popular chocolate brands in Austria include Milka, with its range of milk, almond, and peanut caramel chocolates; Manner, known for their Original Neapolitan Wafers; and Mirabell, whose Salzburger Mozartkugel can be found in almost any store in Austria.

Frequently asked questions

Some popular Austrian chocolate brands include Zotter, Milka, Manner, and Salzburg Mozartkugel.

Austrian chocolates can be commonly purchased in Austria and Germany. Some brands like Zotter also sell their chocolates online in the USA.

Austrian chocolates are known for their unique flavour combinations. Some examples include cheese, tequila with salt and lemon, raspberry, coconut and trout, poppyseed-cinnamon, pumpkin brittle with marzipan, and champagne with grilled walnuts and marzipan.

Yes, Zotter Schokolade GmbH in the Riegersburg province of Styria offers a chocolate tour that includes a tasting session.

Yes, apart from chocolate, Austrians also enjoy Original Neapolitan Wafers, which are layered wafers with hazelnut cocoa cream.

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