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Why National Sacher Torte Day?
Austria’s famous confection Sacher Torte is more than just a chocolate sponge cake that gained popularity throughout the world. It has a long history that dates back to 1832, in the courts of Prince Wenzel von Metternich who was the State Chancellor and Foreign Minister of the Austrian Empire.
Prince Wenzel von Metternich asked his kitchen staff to create a remarkable dessert to dazzle his special guests. By what seemed like an unfortunate turn of events, the chief chef was ill and the 16-year-old apprentice chef Franz Sacher had to take up this challenge, which resonated with a daunting comment from the prince, “I hope you won’t disgrace me tonight.” The young chef rose to the occasion and created something that would carry his name and story to posterity. Sacher Torte became popular in the imperial court and later became a worldwide phenomenon.
Sacher worked in Bratislava and Budapest after completing his training. Later he returned to Vienna and opened a specialty restaurant and wine shop. Eduard Sacher, his older son who was working at the Demel Bakery, perfected his recipe of Sacher Torte to its present form. He left the Demel bakery and founded the Hotel Sacher where the Sacher torte was served as the specialty dish.
In the 1930s the hotel was bankrupt following the demise of Eduard’s widow Anna. The Demel bakery and Hotel Sacher then had a legal battle over the trademark rights which lasted for 25 years. Both the establishments claimed the rights over “The Original Sacher Torte” label. In 1963 the dispute was settled in an out-of-court negotiation. While Hotel Sacher owned the “The Original Sacher Torte” trademark, the settlement allowed Demel Bakery to sell Sacher Torte with a deal that a triangular chocolate seal that read, Eduard Sacher Torte should be placed on the torte.
The original recipe consists of a chocolate sponge base with two thin layers of apricot jam topped by chocolate icing. It is commonly served with unsweetened whipped cream while the exact recipe is kept a secret, it is speculated that the magic lies in the chocolate icing consisting of three types of dark chocolate that are produced by German and Belgian manufacturers particularly for this purpose. The Original Sacher Torte is sold exclusively in Vienna and Salsburg at the Hotel Sacher, Sacher shop, Cafe Sacher, through the Hotel’s online shop and at Vienna International Airport.
Though Sacher Torte is a Viennese culinary delight, the fact that this food holiday is celebrated in America just shows how it was welcomed into the hearts and plates of people all around the world. Many bakeries around the world have their own versions of Sacher Torte, and if you are lucky enough, you might find a tasty version in the next street bakery! This day celebrates tradition and talent, that brought into existence the most celebrated dessert of all times, Sacher Torte!
How to Celebrate the day
Celebrating National Sacher Torte Day is very simple. Take a slice of Sacher Torte or cake to enjoy this Day. You can prepare your own Sacher Torte to celebrate the Day. Take your children to the cake shop and treat them with Sacher Torte with unsweetened whipped cream. Share your Sacher Torte Day celebrations on social media using the hashtag #SacherTorteDa
