Geographic position
Austria is situated in the
Southern part of Central Europe, and it is taking 83.857 km2.
The capital is Vienna, and other major cities are Graz, Linz, Salzburg and
Innsbruck.
Austria is mostly
mountainous country with Alps, hills and plains. The climate is both
continental and mountainous. The biggest rivers are Danube, Inn, Drava and
Mura.
The population is composed of the Austrians, Slovaks, Czechs, Italians,
Slovenians and Burgenland Croats.
The Vienna cuisine is known for Wiener Schnitzel, then Parmesanschöberlsuppe and Fiaker Gulasch and Sacher Torte.
Crops, potato, grapes, vegetables and fruit, cattle, poultry and bees.
Historic influence
With many similarities with the German cuisine, Austrian cuisine is influenced by numerous ethnic groups which in the long period of the Austrian-Hungarian monarchy, when the boundaries were moved in all directions, also changed the way food was prepared.
In this cuisine the characteristics of German, Swiss, Hungarian, Turkish, Slovenian, Croatian, French, Spanish, Dutch, Italian, Serbian and Jewish cuisine are recognized.
Cuisine
A typical Austrian specialties differ depending on the region and the historic influence and on the geographical position and prevailing victuals. For instance the cuisine of the Burgenland is determined by the plains, traditional cuisine of the Burgenland Croats and the vicinity of Hungary. Abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables and free range poultry on open spaces have inspired the inhabitants to prepare meals such as Burgenländisches Erdbeerkoch (strawberry dessert) and Burgenländische Gänseleber (goose liver with onion).
Austria is mostly mountainous country with Alps, hills and plains.
The regions Kärnten and Steiermark are somewhat closer to the Mediterranean cuisine, with influences of Italian and Hungarian cuisine and the cuisine of the countries of former Yugoslavia. In this area ham is favourite together with the fruit and vegetables growing in mild climate. Steirisches Verhackert's (chopped bacon with garlic and pumpkin oil of intense aroma) and Steirisches Poulard (chicken stuffed with herbs) are the main specialties of these regions.
The cuisine of the Niederösterreich (Lower Austria) reflects long term historic connections with the Middle East, so the cuisine based on the Oriental one highlights specialties such as Serviettenknödel mit Semmelkren (cooked dumplings with horse radish and bread crumbs sauce) and Gezogener Apfelstrudel (apple strudel).
Oberösterreich (Upper Austria) and the areas along the border with Germany and Czech Republic include culinary classics such as Linzer Torte, but equally favourite Salzburger Nockerln (meringues with vanilla sugar).
Specialties Tirola and Vorarlberga (cold regions with forests) include victuals specific for this climate, including traditional imports from Italy and Switzerland. Renowned meals are: Tiroler Leber mit Polenta (goose liver with onion, bacon, capers, lemon juice and white vine served with polenta), Gröstl (fried onion with potato) and Schlutzkrapfen (pasta stuffed with spinach and poured over with melted butter and parmesan).
Owing to the rich and dynamic history, the cuisine of Vienna is a story for itself. Long-year rulers, the Habsburg family, expanded their empire on the countries of different cultures, so they adopted various victuals and ways of preparing meals. Vienna cuisine was celebrated by the Wiener Schnitzel, then by the Parmesanschöberlsuppe (Parmesan noodle soup) and Fiaker Gulasch (similar to the Hungarian goulash) and Sacher Torte (a cake with apricot jam and chocolate coating).
A typical Austrian meal includes 2 to 7 courses - depending on the occasion. Normally a meal starts with an appetizer (Vorspeise), then follows the soup (Suppe), then the main course (Hauptspeise) with several side dishes (Beilagen), ending with a dessert (Kuchen) or a cake (Torte). With a tasty meal the Austrians will have beer, vine or sweet sekt.
The tradition of drinking coffee in Austria is very long and by 1730 Vienna already had about thirty cafes. The most renowned names are Meinl Kaffee and Eduscho, the most favourite kind is Mocca, added with milk, cream, sugar and various alcoholic beverages.
Fast Facts
- Area: 83.858 km2
- Population: 8.139.000
- Capital: Vienna
- Official language: German
- Currency: Euro
- Religion: Roman Catholic
- Climate: moderately continental
- EU member: Yes
- Shopping: skiing equipment, coffee, sweets, handwork, porcelain
