Tuesday Tea and Tortes: Vienna's Sacher Hotel, home to the decadent Sacher Torte

Highlight of Vienna, a visit to Hotel Sacher with the family

"Oh  that he may not discredit me tonight!" is what the Austrian Prince is said to have exclaimed (and according the Hotel Sacher's website) after learning his request for an impressive dessert for honored guests fell to the fate of a sixteen year old apprentice. That young lad's name was Franz Sacher and that's the spoiler alert - it was a resounding success. 

The sacher torte was created in 1832, when Prince Matternich required a fancy treat for a special court occasion. His head chef was ill and Franz Sacher had to deliver. And, deliver he did:  a rich concoction of chocolate, butter, sugar, flour, apricots and vanilla. It received much approbation and was sanctioned "acceptable at court". 

Sacher torte acceptable at court and Gulley kitchen

Earlier this month, on our Blue Danube cruise, my family spent two days in Vienna and the Hotel Sacher was one of the highlights. Walking into the hotel lobby and adjacent gift shop, one is  greeted with the intoxicating chocolate aroma that lures one to purchase a dozen tiny tortes (as well as Hotel Sacher's own black tea blend to accompany them).

The torte is a work of art, with its signature fudgy shell and Sacher seal. The miniature versions that I brought home didn't seem to suffer much in their travels. They don't require refrigeration which is a plus for a long journey.  And, though the size is small, a few cherished bites is all that is required of this sinfully delicious treat. 

Hotel Sacher was founded by Eduard Sacher, son of Franz

It was incredible to be standing in the Sacher Hotel where the sacher torte legacy still lives on.  A talent for securing the finer things in life must have been hereditary as the luxurious venue was founded in 1876 by Eduard Sacher, son of Franz. The eponymous torte was a part of the hotel's first-class offerings and continues its strong association today. 

Sacher torte pairs exceptionally well with Hotel Sacher's signature black tea blend

The Hotel Sacher's website also provides a recipe of the sacher torte, although a proud disclaimer states that its an "approximation". The true family recipe is a heavily guarded secret.

I'm inspired to bake my own sacher torte this holiday season. In the meantime, there may be one or two "originals" within my reach. I deem these tiny tortes "acceptable at the Gulley kitchen table".

More Blue Danube blog stories to follow - not everything is about cake and tea, not there's anything wrong with that.