An unusual sight in Vienna

The features of Vienna are not just cathedrals and palaces, crooked streets and an atmosphere of quiet grandeur. The Austrian capital is also home to some exquisite sweets.

Zacher, the famous Viennese chocolate cake, is named after its creator Franz Zacher. The cake is composed of bitter chocolate, airy biscuit and apricot sourness and is a delightful combination of luxurious flavors brought to life by skilled pastry chefs.

The origin of the cake is based on a true story. A 16-year-old cook prepared an unusual dessert for an official on his own, using his own recipe, because the chef was sick that day. Franz's chocolate splendor later went down in culinary history, impressing all who tasted it with its unusual combination of flavors. Years later, Sacher opened his own wine and delicatessen store.

Nowadays, these Viennese cakes, whose recipe has survived many lawsuits due to changes in ownership, travel around the world. They are packaged in special wooden boxes, so they don't go stale even after two weeks of "life".Of course, it's best to go to Vienna and taste this delicacy in its historic homeland, thanks to its many aristocratic cafés with rich interiors and a vibrant history. In some of them, you even have to wait in line at the entrance.

At the moment, Hotel Sacher cakes and similar Demelew cakes are common in Vienna. Both have corresponding chocolate seals. The difference in the recipe for these types of cakes comes down to the amount of apricot confit layers. Hotel Sacher cuts the cakes horizontally and dabs them with confit, while Demeule confectionery puts the confit on top just before pouring the frosting.