Austrian Cuisine - A Brief History & Look Into Etiquette
Millions of tourists descend upon Austria every year, allured by the pull of authentic and traditional recipes to satisfy their tastebud cravings. But what lies behind this rich abundance of Austrian food, and how did it come to prominence?
As a multi-national empire in times gone by, there was a melting pot of different cultures all with their own interpretations and nuances on food. This provided the seeds for a blending process to occur, and therefore contribute towards Austria's versatile range of cuisine.
Just to put that into perspective, the Habsburg Empire covered an enormous area of European land, spanning from the Adriatic to the borders of Imperial Russia.
So how big and vast was the Habsburg Empire?
- 51 million people
- 12 nationalities
- 16 different languages
- Over 700 years, the Habsburg rule extended over Slovenia, Slovakia, Italy, Hungary, Croatia, Poland, Holland, Switzerland, Spain, Alsace, Bohemia, Moravia, Burgundy
The answer: extremely vast!
So, essentially all of these places have influenced Austrian cuisine in some way, shape or form.
The Wiener Schnitzel: Although still a case of speculation, it's thought to have originated in Northern Italy
(Source: http://www.thekitchn.com/whats-the-difference-between-schnitzel-and-wiener-schnitzel-236436)
Gulasch: Originated in the Hungarian plains
(Source: http://peggytalk.peggy-forum.at/?p=3323)
While Austrian cuisine is heavily populated with foreign influences, all Austrian regions exhibit their own local dishes. Here are some examples pictured below.
Speckknödel: In English, Bacon Dumplings, from Tyrol
(Source: https://www.gutekueche.at/speckknoedel-mit-sauerkraut-rezept-25030)
Salzburger Nockerln: A Souffle, from Salzburg
(source: http://www.badische-zeitung.de/reise-1/salzburger-nockerl--87976249.html)
Frittatensuppe: A Crepe Soup, from Styria
(Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/337488565805500575/)
So there we have it. Next time you're sampling the delights of Austrian cuisine, take some time to consider the fusion of different cultural influences that have contributed to the diverse palette of food.
Etiquette when eating and drinking with Austrians:
At traditional Austrian restaurants, it is good practice to greet other mealtime punters with an enthusiastic 'Mahlzeit'. An Austrian meal is an event in itself, which can make it very time consuming. Don't expect people to be in a hurry to leave after course number three. People will usually stick around for a drink or two. Keep your hands on the table during dinner, but not the elbows.
As a reflection of how the British say 'cheers' when clinking glasses together, Austrians will take a moment to look each other in the eye and say 'prost' to each person in the round. The shot Schnaps is a regular fixture after an Austrian meal. But be wary, you'll need to remain composed as you consume the shot, it's certainly not for the faint-hearted, containing a similar level of alcoholic content to drinks like Vodka.
