Cuisine of Austria

Austria is proud to have one of the world's most famous culinary traditions. It is also one of the most multi and trans-cultural cuisine in Europe. In the present times, Austrian cuisine is known across the globe primarily for its pastries and sweets. The cuisine of Austria is mainly derived from the cuisine of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Besides the native regional traditions, it has been largely been influenced by Hungarian, Czech, Jewish, Italian and Bavarian cuisines. These countries have not only inspired the recipes but also the methods of food.

The eating habit in Austria varies from one region to another. In Lower Austria, Waldviertel poppies, Marchfeld asparagus and Wachau apricots are common. Various types of dumpling are an important part of diet of Upper Austria, Bavaria and Bohemia. The Linzer Torte, a cake made of groundnuts and marmalade, is a popular dessert.

Burgenland's cuisine is closer to Hungarian cuisine owing to its former position within the Hungarian part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The dishes consist mainly of fish, chicken or goose. Polenta is a popular side dish. Martinigans is a specialty prepared on St Martin's Day (November 11) while Carp is for Christmas.

In Salzburg, Kasnockerln, cheese dumplings and freshwater fish, particularly trout, are popular. Salzburger Nockerln, meringue-like dish is a well-known local dessert. In Styria, pumpkin seed oil is a typical delicacy that lends itself particularly to salads because of its nutty taste. Verhackertes, a spread made from finely chopped bacon is also a Styrian dish. Schleicher, a very dry rosé, is the regional style of wine in West Styria.

Heidensterz, a pancake made from buckwheat flour, is a local dish enjoyed in cold weather. Fish is the staple part of the main course in Carinthia while grain, dairy produce and meat are important ingredients. The local delicacies are the Carinthian Kasnudeln, noodle dough pockets filled with quark and mint and smaller Schlickkrapfen, mainly with a meat filling. Klachlsuppe, pig's trotter soup and Reindling, a type of fruit loaf are also produced locally.

Tyrol is known for Tyrolean bacon and all sorts of dumplings. Dumplings are prepared using ingredients like bacon, spinach or Tyrolean Graukäse, a sour milk cheese. Graukäse is dressed with oil and vinegar and garnished with onion rings. Other local delicacies are Tiroler Gröstl, pan-fried meat, potatoes and onions and Schlutzkrapfen, noodle dough pockets filled with meat or potatoes.

The influence of Alemannic cuisine of neighboring Switzerland and Swabia is visible on the cuisine of Vorarlberg. Cheese and cheese products play a major role in the cuisine, with Käsknöpfle and Kässpätzle, egg noodles prepared with cheese being popular dishes. Other delicacies include Krutspätzle, sauerkraut noodles, Käsdönnala, similar to a quiche, Schupfnudla, dough made from mixing potato and flour, Flädlesuppe, pancake soup, Öpfelküachle, apple cake and Funkaküachle, cake traditionally eaten on the first Sunday of Lent.

Austrian cuisine also offers a huge variety in snacks . Open sandwiches, different kinds of sausage with mustard and bread, sliced sausage, Leberkäse rolls or Schnitzelsemmeln, rolls filled with Schnitzel are most popular. The typical Austrian snacks are the Bosna or Bosner, a spiced bratwurst in a hot dog roll that is an integral part of the menu at Austria's typical fast-food joint, the sausage stand, Würstelstand.

Austrian cuisine is incomplete without desserts as the people of Austria have fetish for sweets. Vanillekipferl are crescent-shaped cookies made of  vanilla bean and almonds, coated in confectioner's sugar and served around Christmas season. Austrians cakes and chocolates are famous all over the world. The Sacher Torte, named after its inventor, Franz Sacher, is a cake made with chocolate and apricot jam. The Dobosch Torte is a layered cake with chocolate frosting and caramel glaze. The Panama Torte is a chocolate cake prepared for the celebration of the opening of the Panama Canal. Marzipan is a sweet almond paste sometimes dipped in chocolate. Heisse Schokolade means hot chocolate and is served with homemade schlag, whipped cream, a hot chocolate drink.  

By: Shuchita Bist
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