Traditional Viennese coffeehouses have their own unique atmosphere, which makes you feel as if time has been standing still for a long time. They create perfect conditions for unhurried coffee savoring, reading books and endless conversations. If you want to recreate this magical atmosphere in the comfort of your own home even just for a moment, be sure to prepare Viennese coffee, which seems made for connoisseurs of good coffee and chocolate. Full of flavor and sweetness, enveloping you with its warm aroma, perfect for cooler, autumn and winter afternoons and evenings.
Viennese coffee with a hint of Polishness – the story behind Viennese coffee
The origins of Viennese coffee date back to the victory at the Battle of Vienna (1683). One of the heroes was Polish soldier and diplomat Jerzy Franciszek Kulczycki. As a reward for his merits, he received a considerable amount of money and a property. Moreover, king Jan III Sobieski allowed him to choose any item from the enemy camp. To the amazement of all, he went for the bags filled with mysterious beans – coffee. This allowed him to open the first coffeehouse in Vienna: “House Under the Blue Bottle”. Initially, however, the bitterish brew did not appeal to the inhabitants of Vienna, which prompted the owner of the café to experiment. So, he came up with the idea to enrich the beverage with honey and milk. It is Kulczycki who is credited with popularizing sweet coffee with milk. Years later, Vienna became the world capital of cafés, and our compatriot became the patron of local café-owners. Currently, Viennese coffee is prepared a bit differently. Still, it has undoubtedly retained its sweet character, to which it owes its success.
Viennese coffee with whipped cream
Today, Viennese coffee is a sweet beverage, most often consisting of strong coffee, good dark or milk chocolate, and, optionally, milk and sugar. It must be topped with a lot of whipped cream and delicately sprinkled with dark cocoa, cinnamon, chocolate curls or covered with chocolate syrup. When you want to order coffee with whipped cream in the capital of Austria, you should know at least two names: Einspänner (double espresso with lots of whipped cream) and Franziskaner (large black coffee with milk and whipped cream). Anyway, for a Viennese coffee to delight with its taste, a perfectly brewed, expressive beverage made of high-quality, freshly ground, balanced beans is a must. The South American classic with chocolate and nut notes and low acidity will be perfect. For a condensed essence, you can use both a pressure espresso machine and a simple moka pot. Both of these methods will bring out the full flavor of the intensely brewed coffee that goes well with milk and other additives.
How to serve and drink Viennese coffee?
Viennese coffee is served in an elegant, wide cup or in a tall, transparent glass, which additionally exposes two attractive layers. In Vienna cafés, it is served – just like any other coffee – with a glass of cool, still water. What’s more, despite the fact that Viennese coffee is quite caloric in itself and successfully replaces dessert, it is often served with a piece of chocolate cake or cream cheesecake. Viennese coffee is a wonderful indulgence for the senses, so we drink it slowly, sipping through a fluffy layer of whipped cream and savoring every sip.
So, how to prepare Viennese coffee with whipped cream?
Here is our recipe for a delicious Viennese coffee:
Ingredients (1 serving):
- 150 ml of strong coffee
- approx. 50 ml of milk
- 2-4 cubes of dark or milk chocolate
- 1 teaspoon of sugar, or to taste (optional)
- whipped cream
- bitter cocoa / cinnamon / grated chocolate / chocolate syrup
Preparation:
1. Heat the milk, add 2-4 cubes of dark or milk chocolate, optionally sweeten with sugar and stir until all the ingredients come together.
2. Pour the milk with chocolate into a warm cup / glass and add strong coffee.
3. Decorate with whipped cream and sprinkle with bitter cocoa / cinnamon / grated chocolate or top with chocolate syrup. Serve immediately.
Enjoy the recipe. I hope that the sweet Viennese coffee accompanied with a good book will make your autumn days pleasant and cozy. Stay warm!
