Cacao in Austria

Chocolate has been an important part of Austria's culinary history now for centuries. Once, it was a luxurious drink reserved only for the royal and wealthy. Over the years, Austrian chocolate-makers have added their own spin on the treat, making chocolate truly their own.

With a focus on natural ingredients, sustainability, and craftsmanship, chocolate in Austria is rich with both tradition and innovation. 

History of Cacao in Austria

The story of chocolate in Austria first began in the 16th century when the Spanish brought cacao beans from the Americas to Europe.

Initially, chocolate looked nothing like it does today. Europeans almost exclusively consumed chocolate as a beverage, often flavoured with spices like cinnamon and vanilla. The rich and noble of Austria quickly adopted this exotic drink, and it soon became a status symbol among the elite class. Many Austrian aristocrats even owned elegant porcelain ‘chocolate pots’ and bowls just for the purpose of preparing and drinking chocolate at home. 

By the 18th century, chocolate was all the rage. It wasn't long before you could find hot chocolate served at the 'Kaffeehäuser', (Coffee-houses), establishments where people gathered to socialise. This made it possible for the upper-middle class to enjoy hot chocolate while they gossiped and engaged in intellectual discussions. 

Once chocolate became more widely available, Austrian chocolatiers were quick to innovate and develop their own unique chocolate recipes. They experimented with different cocoa blends and added ingredients like nuts, fruits, and liqueurs to make chocolates that were suited for the Austrian palate.

The dedication to quality and creativity earned Austrian chocolate a reputation for excellence that continues to persist today. 

Popular Chocolates and Manufacturers in Austria

Today, Austria is home to a few iconic chocolate treats and renowned chocolate brands who carry on the country's tradition of chocolate excellence. Companies like Manner and Zotter are celebrated both domestically and internationally for their high-quality chocolates and innovative flavors. 

Mozartkugel

One of Austria's most iconic chocolate creations is the Mozartkugel, or Mozart ball. These popular confections consist of layers of pistachio, marzipan, and nougat rolled into a ball and coated in a thin layer of chocolate. Named after composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the confection’s name pays tribute to one of Austria’s most influential figures. 

For a long time, confectioner Paul Furst was credited with inventing the Mozartkugel in 1890. To ensure that his employees wouldn't snack on the Mozartkugels as they made them, Furst actually required them to whistle as they worked. So delicious were the Mozartkugel, they even earned a gold medal at the 1905 world exposition in Paris.

However, after an Austrian historian discovered a newspaper advertising Mozartkugel in 1881, questions were raised. Were Mozartkugeln invented by Furst, or by the chocolatier advertising the treats 9 years earlier, Rudolf Baumann? Furst’s estate argues that there were several types of Mozartkugel at the time, but Furst created the now famous version that includes pistachio, marzipan, and nougat.

Although Furst holds the copyright to the “original Salzburg mozartkugel”, Baumann’s estate maintains that Baumann is the original creator of the beloved Austrian treat. Either way, these treats are an iconic trademark of Austria's culinary history. 

Zotter Schokolade

Zotter Schokolade is a world-renowned Austrian chocolate manufacturer specializing in organic and fair-trade bean to bar chocolate. Based in Riegersburg, Zotter is a family business founded in 1999 by Josef Zotter and managed today by Zotter’s wife, Ulrike Zotter. 

In 2001, Zotter began travelling to cocoa producing countries and supporting cocoa farmers through developmental aid projects combatting poverty and deforestation. Several years later, Zotter became Fair-Trade certified and began purchasing cacao directly from farmers, becoming the first independent, organic bean-to-bar chocolate producer in Europe. 

All of Zotter’s chocolate is made in-house at their factory. The factory features a chocolate theatre where visitors can witness first-hand how chocolate is made (and of course, have a taste.)

Visitors can also check out Zotter’s Edible Zoo, an adventure farm that grows and prepares indigenous and regional fruits and vegetables for visitors to enjoy. 

What the Future Holds

As the world’s hunger for chocolate continues to grow, volatile cacao market prices, global cocoa shortages, and unpredictable weather conditions all pose threats to the chocolate industry.

Companies like Zotter help to build a future for the Austrian chocolate industry that puts farmers, the environment, and quality first. Fortunately, they’re not alone. Austrian chocolate companies like Schokov and Aherz Bean-to-Bar Schokolade & Kakao are specializing in ethically and sustainably sourced chocolate. Together, companies like these help to make the future of chocolate more resilient, and better for both people and the planet. 

In Austria, quality, skill, and innovation are at the forefront of chocolate. For the future, chocolate that is produced sustainably and ethically seems to be the next big thing for Austrian chocolate makers.