Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Anyone for Torte?


Don't they look scrumptious? See how the cream is perfectly piped and delicately dusted with chocolate powder? Or how about the neat layers of chocolate truffle cream folded over thin slices of light chocolate sponge piled high. Or there at the back, the light and fluffy strawberry cream mousse torte with the chocolate base, garnished with a real, juicy strawberry. Or is the rich dark wedge of chocolate torte dusted with poppy seeds more to your liking? Or how about the torte of Viennese tortes? The Sachertorte? A decadently rich, moist and dense (you guessed it) chocolate sponge with a thin layer of apricot jam and then covered in a rich chocolate icing layer and served with unsweetened whipped cream. This cake is so rich a small slice IS a meal in itself.


This is the sight that greeted me in every Viennese cafe. A chilled cabinets full of colourful treasure and as I was on holiday, it was of course all calorie free! Bliss! I quickly became enamoured with the tortes of Vienna. Every afternoon we would stop at a small cafe that took our fancy and take torte and coffee. The only hard part was choosing which one!

The photo above is of the Sacher Hotel Cafe, home to the original Sachertorte where it originated. It was a little more expensive but the Sachertorte was sublime. It was invented by Franze Sacher in 1832 and is one of the most famous Viennese culinary specialties. The trademark for the "Original Sachertorte" was registered by the Hotel Sacher, which was built in 1876 by the son of Franz Sacher and the recipe is a well-kept secret to this day. If you ever go to Vienna, make sure you go here and sample the Sacher torte which is truly a taste of Vienna.

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

All you need is a Strauss waltz embedded in this post to complete the effect.

Cheers.

craziequeen said...

[DRIBBLE]

oops, sorry....

[wipes chin]

cq

Anonymous said...

Now this was just plain mean. :)

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Oh My God....I am in a sugar coma just looking at these beautifil chocolate goodies...AND my mouth is watering profusely! (lol)
I have always loved the Sachertorte and did not know there was a Hotel too! I think I would have had to have this at least once a day if I was lucky enough to be in Vienna...My My My....I am about to pass out from just imagining it all....And your pictures are beautful, B-K...

What you said on my blog is so true...I can still remember the first time I saw this Senecio plant and fell in love...That was over 21 years ago...And the love affair continues...In fact I think it is getting deeper, all the time...! (lol) These are very special plants, and they have quite an amazing fragrance if you have to cut into it for any reason..It is hard to describe because it isan't like anything else....!
You and CQ must plan a trip to Los Angeles. Then you will get to see some of this "in person"...!

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

Yeah, maybe I don't care that I've hit a weight plateau after all. Maybe raising my weight will help shake me off it, right???

Shephard said...

I don't think I can quite comprehend the chocolately goodness of those tortes... I may need to zoom in on them 5 or 6 more times...
~S

Bernie said...

I am now SOOOO hungry, and at 9.54am Friday morning, I am off to get a coffe and cake, thanks!!! ;)

burntofferings and more at bernies fotoblog

kenju said...

I'm drooling along with Naomi!

Melody said...

Oooo...you knew I'd love this post didn't you? Oooo....

*sigh*

MaR said...

A gourmet post! I did it too, a whole delightful piece of Sacher Torte on the terrace, because it was july some years ago.
At Sacher's I saw the "no cell phones" sign on a door for the first time. They know enjoying such a delicacy with first class coffee is quality time!

MaR said...

Back to tell you I went to Cafe Sacher because I just had to, lol, but my friend in Vienna prefers this one

Anonymous said...

Mouth-watering!

I think I will visit Vienna just Torte!!


Yummy! Glad Michele sent me your way!

Catherine said...

It looks like you had a wonderful trip. I wish it were true about things being it on holiday being calorie free, unfortunately all those "full English breakfasts" I ate in the UK last month seem to have expanded my waistline a little
Michele sent me

Pat said...

Hi Bob-kat! Michele sends her best. Thanks for the memory. Besides the bitter cold in February I remember fondly those delicious gateaux from a week-end in Vienna

Bernie said...

You know what, although I had a look this morning (Sydney time) I am still hungry looking at these...

Here from Michele's tonight.

burntofferings and more at bernies fotoblog

Anonymous said...

I just have one word to say: YUM!

Anonymous said...

Michele sent me back to look at those Tortes and drool again!

I am going to put on weight just by looking at the pictures!!

OldLady Of The Hills said...

I loved your comment on my blog...Camparing Sweetie to the Senecio puffs...LOL! I certainly see what you mean....Both soft and both white...lol...Though the puffs are more silver looking sometimes....But theyt are both incredibly Beautiful....!

Shephard said...

It would be interesting to know what a Sachertorte would set someone back. In Euros even. :)

Michele sent me back to drool over your very inviting photos.

~S

Moon said...

OMG my mouth started to water as soon as I saw the photo....I think I hate you and love you at the same time now.
I have never had the Sachertorte...now I will for sure if I ever see it anywhere...I doubt that I shall be able to ever go to Vienna, but one never knows lol ....Now I have to deal with this sudden need for something sweet....ARGHHHHHH

JAM said...

More beauty. I'd have had to constantly download my camera to a laptop or keep buying new memory cards.

Glad you are feeling a bit better. Hope you're back to full health soon.

Nikki - Notes of Life said...

That looks delicious! Unfortunatley I couldn't touch a crumb, but it looks drool-worthy!

Anonymous said...

You got a plug here. Don't be surprised if you start seeing visitors from the University of Kansas. They're generally OK, provided you keep plastic on the furniture and check your silver before you let them leave.

Cheers.

rashbre said...

Yum. Schmecht ausgezeichnet! I'm enjoying your recounting of the time in Vienna!
rashbre

My Unfinished Life said...

yummmmmmmmmmmm....im a complete lover of choclates and pastries...and these pictures just seem to me a glimpse of heaven!!!!!

Anonymous said...

mmmm....coooookie.

Michele sne tme over to say hi

Niall young said...

I can imagine the surcharge on the plane home too with all the extra weight you would have put on...!! :-) (I'm just jealous!)