Coffee from Austria

Vienna's coffee houses are among the oldest in the Western World - although you probably heard similar claims of Cafes in Venice (the very first), Warsaw, and Oxford. Nevertheless, Austrian Cafes are old, and they have their own distinct culture.

You can find the most traditional Cafes in Vienna and Salzburg, and most Salzburgians claim the title for the most Viennese cafes of Austria. But both Viena and Mozart′s city have great cafes. The traditional interior design consists of typically round tables and chairs from bentwood, hat stands of the same type, waiters in dinner jackets with a particular attitude that comes with the charm of the Viennese cafes, papers in convenient holders.

The waiters serve the coffee on a little, oval silver plate and with a still water glass, sometimes accompanied by a small chocolate piece.

The present culture of coffeehouses is blooming, as the number of people looking for a place of recollection is continuously growing. The way Austrian society lives and socializes nowadays has roots in the past. In Vienna, going to a coffee house is an entire experience. Through the passing of years, Austrian coffeehouses hosted: artists, intellectuals, the respectable bourgeoisie, and the not-so-respectable. This social space's fluid character stimulated the minds whose intellectual and creative achievements made such a dramatic contribution to European modernity's development at this time.

The Austrian Kaffenhaus remained an institution even after 300 years. And coffee drinking became an important topic of the Viennese culture. 

You feel comfortable in a Kaffeehaus as you step inside: it is considered that the coffee places are like a very spacious living room, with plush seating around marble tables, mirrors on the walls to spread the ambiance of a spacious yet intimate setting. 

The fact that many well-known people spent their free time working, relaxing, and socializing in the coffee houses gave the places even more likeability. There was even created a term to describe the literary works that were inspired at the very same marble tables - "Kaffeehausliteratur" (coffee house literature). Some names from the list are Beethoven, Klimt, Freud, and Trotsky. 

These artistic and intellectual traditions find an echo even today, with many coffee houses hosting author readings or piano-led musical performances.

The art of Ordering Coffee in Austria

When it comes to ordering coffee in Austria, it is quite essential to know specific rules. Plain coffee is not really a thing here. Mainly because there are so many traditional coffee drinks, it would be just a lost opportunity to order simply "coffee." To help to resolve the worst confusion, here a quick overview on the most common coffee specialties:

Kleiner Brauner and Großer Brauner

Kleiner Brauner and Großer Brauner translates into English as "little brown one" or "large brown one." People usually consider it to be an ordinary cup of coffee. The preparation is quite simple: black coffee with a bit of milk, and the coffee is not filtered but instead steamed like an espresso. There can be a single shot or a double shot of espresso. The coffee comes with a little pot of milk or cream in order for the guest to decide how much they desire to put into the coffee.

Melange

One of the most popular coffee variations, the Melange is a mix of frothed milk and steamed coffee. It is typically served in a glass, and it originates from Vienna. Meinl specifies the Viennese coffee company as having "equal parts steamed milk and foam" and serves theirs dusted with cocoa powder. 

Kaisermelange (The Emperor's Melange)

The Kaisermelange consists of strong black coffee, egg yolk, and honey. In a cup, the egg yolk is mixed with honey, and while stirring the mix, the strong black coffee is added slowly. In Vienna, a shot of cognac is also added to the mix.

Milchkaffee (Café latte)

This coffee drink is not a traditional Austrian one, but never the less very popular. It is a coffee drink made with espresso and steamed or frothed milk.

Einspänner (Mocha with whipped cream)

Strong, black coffee usually served in a glass instead of a mug with a whipped cream dash on top.

Fiaker

The Fiaker, who is named after the famous horse-and-carriages in Vienna, is strong, black coffee served in a glass with lots of sugar, a shot of rum and whipped cream on top.

Mazagran

Similar to a Fiaker but served cold. The Mazagran is a strong, black coffee served with ice, a shot of rum, and a bit of sugar. This delicacy is delicious during the hot summer months.

Einspänner 

Einspänner is a classic Viennese coffee that combines espresso and hefty amounts of whipped cream on top. The drink was named after a one-horse-drawn carriage. Allegedly, this type of coffee was ideal for the coachmen because the cream would keep the coffee warm and would prevent spillage.

Einspänner is usually served in a tall glass, and it can be dusted with icing sugar or cocoa powder. Traditionally, it is not stirred, and the coffee should be slowly sipped through the whipped cream.