1. Vienna's Hidden Jewel
The aroma enfolds you in notes of chocolate, citrus, and caramel as your eyes drift closed. One luxurious sip and the velvet creaminess embrace your tongue, washing tensions away. You've discovered Vienna's hidden coffeehouse jewel where time pauses while intellect and indulgence mingle harmoniously. This scene offers a glimpse into an integral piece of Austria's identity - one that has mesmerized visitors for generations. From its fanciful beginnings warming chilly carriage drivers to fueling discourse in legendary cafés, Viennese coffee continues to enchant.
Prepare to discover the rich history, customs, and allure of this distinctive style. We'll uncover what sets it apart, where to sample authentic Viennese coffee in Vienna and beyond, plus tips for brewing an iconic cup yourself. After soaking in the nuances of this sweet, creamy treat, your daily coffee routine will never look quite the same!
2. A Storied Past - The Origins of Viennese Coffee
Vienna claims one of the longest and liveliest coffee traditions in Europe. Coffeehouses first emerged in the city following the 1683 Siege of Vienna. As the legend goes, fleeing Ottoman invaders abandoned hundreds of sacks of exotic coffee beans. Clever locals found uses for these mysterious seeds, kickstarting a caffeinated craze.
The Pioneering First Coffeehouses
By most accounts, an Armenian named Diodato opened Vienna's inaugural coffee business in 1685 on the site of today's Café Dommayer. A few years later, Spy Hiko and then Georg Franz Kolschitzky launched separate establishments. These pioneering coffee merchants introduced Viennese society to an alluring new pastime - one that would soon become deeply embedded in the city's identity.
Coffeehouses As Cultural Hubs
It didn't take long for Vienna's early cafés to evolve into recreational and intellectual hubs. Patrons gathered to chat, read newspapers, play games, listen to music, and debate burning topics of the day. Artists, musicians, politicians, scientists, and philosophers all rubbed shoulders over coffee and pastry.
By the mid-1700s, over 200 coffeehouses had sprung up across the Austrian capital. Individually furnished spaces reflected owners' tastes and attracted distinct crowds. Certain cafés became associated with various movements like politics, psychoanalysis, and modern art. Through the centuries, Vienna's vibrant coffeehouse culture survived challenges from wars to economic strife. These resilient gathering grounds remain treasured institutions even now.
3. The Distinct Appeal of Viennese Coffee
An Iconic Blend
So what is "Viennese coffee" exactly? Known locally by names like Mélange or Wiener Kaffee, this sweet, almost dessert-like coffee blends espresso with steamed milk and often heaps of fresh whipped cream. The mélange directly translates to "a mix" - an apt name for a hybrid coffee-milk concoction lighter than a cappuccino but creamier than a macchiato. The crowning pile of whipped cream takes it to decadent new heights.
Signature Brewing Methods
While French presses and drip pots turn up on Viennese café counters, espresso foundations form the basis of most offerings. Specifically:
- An espresso machine pulls 1-2 concentrated shots. More intense than filtrated coffee, espresso highlights certain flavor notes.
- A separate steam arm froths milk by injecting steam bubbles into the chilled liquid via a nozzle tip. This aerates the milk, lending it a light, foamy texture. Proper steaming technique avoids scalding or overheating the milk.
- Fresh whipped cream gets vigorously whisked by hand or mixer until reaching soft or stiff peaks. Sweeteners and liquors occasionally add flavor accents.
Customized Beverages
Viennese menus showcase an array of coffee drinks from simple espresso shots to creamy indulgences. Customization reigns supreme. Options include:
- Kleiner Schwarzer - single espresso
- Großer Schwarzer - double espresso
- Brauner - espresso with steamed milk
- Verlängerter - espresso with added hot water
- Melange - espresso with steamed milk & foam
- Einspänner - espresso topped with whipped cream
Beyond these classics, white coffee, ice coffee, alcohol-spiked offerings, and decaf selections also abound. Feel free to specify milk choices and sweetness levels too. The key is that Viennese coffee invites personalization - another way it sustains enduring intrigue.
4. The Grandeur of Historic Coffeehouses
Heady aromas welcome visitors into Vienna's elegant coffeehouses. Ornate chandeliers, soaring ceilings, and polished fittings pay homage to opulent eras past. Patrons relax amidst marble and dark wood accents often featuring distinct artistic themes. These resplendent establishments offer transporting havens far removed from modern minimalist models and to-go counters. Time spent here feels almost sacred.
Café Central
Café Central anchors Vienna's first district just steps from the extravagant State Opera. Considered one of Europe's most stunning coffeehouses, this regal yet welcoming setting has hosted luminaries like Lenin, Freud, and Trotsky within its frescoed halls. From your red upholstered seat, you can almost visualize turn-of-the-century intellectuals passionately debating nearby. A sublime spot for coffee and scrutinizing Austrian newspapers.
Café Sacher
Opposite the majestic State Opera House, the legendary Hotel Sacher is home to the iconic Café Sacher. The birthplace of rich chocolate cake, the Sachertorte, it merits a visit for dessert if nothing else. Red velvet booths, sparkling chandeliers, and elaborate wall panels swathed in green damask fabric set a lavish stage. The house specialty mélange here sweetens the experience further.
Café Prückel
On the corner of Vienna's regal Ringstrasse boulevard, Café Prückel transports guests back to 1901 with intact wood paneling, Thonet bentwood chairs, and elaborate stained glass. Locals treat the twin coffee bars like their own living rooms - reading, chatting, and making phone calls with gusto. Grab a hearty breakfast or afternoon snack alongside your mélange here. Friendly staff in bow ties and long white aprons complete the time-warp effect.
Café Mozart
Tucked behind the striking Gothic Stephansdom cathedral, Café Mozart charms with faded elegance. Well-worn Bauhaus furnishings fill a salon lined with arched mirrors. Classical musicians entertain patrons snacking on Apfelstrudel and sipping leisurely amidst frescoed walls.
Few establishments better encapsulate Vienna's artistic allure. Share stories and sweetness here as notes echo around you.
5. Taste It for Yourself - Where to Sample Viennese Coffee
You needn't board a transatlantic flight to savor quintessential Viennese coffee. Versions of the iconic mélange, Brauner, and whipped cream-crowned specialties turn up on café menus worldwide. When seeking out an authentic experience, look for places focusing on quality beans, specialty roasts, and impeccable barista techniques. Here are some top contenders to try:
Find It Abroad
- Café Dommayer, Vienna, Austria - This historic first coffeehouse still occupies its original site dating from 1685. Hearty Austrian fare-like schnitzel pairs wonderfully.
- Café Deux Chevaux, Paris, France - This friendly spot is modeled after Viennese coffeehouses with solid breakfast options and a sunny terrace.
- Café Einstein Stammhaus, Berlin, Germany - Iconic café featuring stunning Austrian architecture elements and special Viennese pastries.
- Room for Tea, Los Angeles, USA - This charming and popular LA café owned by an Austrian family serves quality coffee, tea, and homemade cakes.
- Café Capriccio, Vancouver, Canada - Austrian-inspired neighborhood joint prepares fine mélanges plus delicious pastries and breakfast/lunch bites.
Or Brew Your Own
Thankfully, preparing a tasty approximation of Viennese coffee at home isn't overly difficult. Essentials include:
- Sturdy espresso machine and grinder to pull flavorful concentrated shots
- Milk frothing pitcher and steam wand for airy texture
- Heavy cream, mixer, chilled bowl, and whisk for billowy whipped cream
- Sweet touches like cocoa powder, chocolate shavings, or your favorite liqueurs
Follow our visual step-by-step guide to craft a sweet whipped cream-topped treat worthy of Vienna's great cafés. Just don't forget a snazzy cocktail or two!
6. Signature Sweets: Pairing Pastries with Viennese Coffee
What dignified coffee experience would be complete without at least one perfect pastry? The Viennese hold esteemed positions as Europe's preeminent cake connoisseurs and coffeehouse confections here live up to lofty expectations.
The Legendary Sachertorte
No pastry embodies decadent Viennese indulgence quite like the Sachertorte. Invented in 1832 for Prince Wenzel von Metternich, the Sachertorte soars to chocolatey heights layering thin moist chocolate cake with apricot jam and coated in a dark silken glaze. Café Sacher's polished take graces countless postcards and makes the ultimate mélange complement. Remember to eat the cream before enjoying a bite with your coffee.
Apple Strudel (Apfelstrudel)
Fresh apples tucked inside flaky golden pastry form a much-loved classic offered in coffeehouses across Austria. Warm, gently spiced apple strudel marrying warm fruit with crisp tartness sings against a backdrop of creamy mélange. For the height of Viennese indulgence, try this icon topped with whipped cream as well!
Dense Chocolate Cake (Schwarzwälderkirschtorte)
While named for Germany's Black Forest, this heavenly confection of layered chocolate sponge cake steeped in kirsch liqueur and laden with whipped cream and dark cherries qualifies as perfectly Viennese. The mélange's frothy sweetness contrasts sublimely with this symphony of dark and bright flavors for a blissful experience.
Don't Forget Linzer Torte!
Legend traces Linzer Torte's spice and berry-bursting crumbly tart design back to a Viennese baker in 1653. Today, no afternoon coffee hits quite the same without a square of this rich jam-filled almond specialty known as the queen of Austrian baking. Take small sips of creamy coffee between forkfuls of fruity filling and tender crust for a veritable flavor explosion.
7. Embrace Your Inner Viennese Coffee Aficionado
As you've seen, Viennese coffee offers much for enthusiasts to admire. Far beyond a mere drink, it encapsulates an essential lifestyle characterized by lingering over luscious flavor compositions. Its histories are woven into Vienna's very fabric. You needn't reside in Austria to infuse some of this timeless coffeehouse essence into your daily routine. Savoring slower morning coffee, fixing a frothy Brauner midday, or hosting friends for afternoon Einspanner can invite meaningful connections.
Experiment with new beans in your steam wand-equipped home setup. Share laughs over mélange and strudel in cozy cafés. Appreciate coffee's potential to nourish your soul as well as provide fuel. The Viennese figured out long ago how transcendent a perfect cup can be. It's high time we follow their lead in celebrating coffee with care, creativity, and conviviality. Just be sure to pile on that whipped cream!
8. Further Exploration
If you're hooked on Viennese coffee culture, consider:
- Brushing up on espresso techniques for brewing authentic Viennese bases
- Mastering the art of frothing milk for authentic texture and sweetness
- Studying signature drinks like the Brauner, Franziskaner, and Maria Theresia
- Sampling different local roasts and bean styles used for Viennese preparations
- Learning about fantastic Viennese cafés like Café Hawelka, Café Gerstner, and more
- Testing recipes from specialty Vienna roasters like Caffe Couture and Jonas Reindl
- Joining online communities to connect with fellow café culture devotees
Prost! May your future brim with wonderful coffee experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions About Viennese Coffee
Is Viennese coffee strong?
While stronger than typical filter or drip coffee, Viennese coffee like the Melange or Einspänner tends towards less robust intensity and creamier taste than straight espresso shots. Milk and whipped cream soften the bitterness and acidity associated with intense dark roasts. But experienced baristas can tweak the espresso base, steamed milk ratios, and sweetness to individual preferences including bolder strength levels.
What is a Viennese coffee in France?
The French have enthusiastically adopted aspects of Viennese coffee culture over the years. In Parisian cafés like Café de Deux Chevaux that specifically channel Austrian coffeehouses, ordering un "viennois" refers to the classic Einspanner of an espresso topped with whipped cream, rather than simply coffee with milk. This aligns directly with how Viennese coffee is classically prepared and served.
What are the characteristics of Vienna coffee?
Vienna coffee like the signature Melange showcases several distinctive characteristics:
- A sweeter, creamier flavor profile
- Espresso instead of brewed coffee as the base
- Steamed milk for added richness
- Heaps of billowy whipped cream adding both decadence and a unique texture
- An elegant presentation featuring a wide-rimmed porcelain cup and saucer plus accessories like a small glass of water or silver spoon for eating the cream
Why is Viennese coffee served with water?
It is customary for Viennese coffee to be accompanied by a small glass of refreshing spring water, although this tradition's exact origins are debated. Some explanations trace it to historical safety concerns over coffee's purity. However, the prevalent theory contends the water simply cleanses the palate before savoring each sweet, creamy sip. This custom complements the leisurely spirit of the Viennese coffee ritual.