Sachertorte
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sachertorte IPA: [ˈzɑxərˌtɔrtə][1] is a chocolate cake, invented by Franz Sacher in 1832 for Klemens Wenzel von Metternich in Vienna, Austria.[2] It is one of the most famous Viennese culinary specialties.
Contents |
[edit] Composition
The cake consists of two layers of dense, not overly sweet chocolate cake (traditionally a sponge cake) with a thin layer of apricot jam in the middle and dark chocolate icing with shreds of chocolate on the top and sides. It is traditionally served with whipped cream without any sugar in it (Standard German: Schlagsahne, Austrian Standard German: Schlagobers), as most Viennese consider the Sachertorte too "dry" to be eaten on its own.
The trademark for the "Original Sachertorte" was registered by the Hotel Sacher, which was built in 1876 by the son of Franz Sacher. The recipe is a well-kept secret.[citation needed] Until 1965, Hotel Sacher was involved in a long legal battle with the pastry shop Demel, who had also produced a cake called the "Original Sachertorte." Numerous tales have circulated to explain how Demel came by the recipe. The cake at Demel is now called "Demels Sachertorte" and differs from the "Original" in that there is no layer of apricot jam in the middle of the cake, but directly underneath the chocolate cover.
There are various recipes attempting to copy the "Original," and some may be found below. For example, at the cultural event "Graz-Kulturhauptstadt 2003", the "Sacher-Masoch-Torte" was presented (its name alluding to Leopold von Sacher-Masoch), a cake unique in that it uses redcurrant jam and marzipan.
[edit] Sachertorte references
On the children's TV show Sesame Street, the Count calls the Countess "my little Sachertorte".
In the video game Star Ocean: Till the End of Time, the player can create a Sachertorte using the item creation system.
In the film Persepolis, Marjane's father tells her to try the dessert while she studies in Vienna.
[edit] External links
- The Original Sacher-Torte Website
- "Sachertorte" - A recipe by Delia Smith (English)
- BBC News | Happy Birthday, cake
- Is Sachertorte the Ultimate Devotion?, courtesy of the parody religion The Chocolate Cake Church
[edit] References
- ^ (1989) Oxford English Dictionary, Second Edition.
- ^ Bell, Bethany. "Happy Birthday, cake" (STM), BBC News, Vienna, 2007-05-31. Retrieved on 2007-05-31. (English) "It was created by chance one day in 1832 when the chef to the chancellor, Prince Wensel Metternich, suddenly fell ill. His 16-year-old apprentice, Franz Sacher, was called in to create a dessert that would not disgrace the prince and the Sachertorte was born."
