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Sweet expectations fulfilled with strawberry cakes

Ever wondered who makes the best strawberry cake in Vienna? Yelp, the online local business guide ran a contest on Wednesday for 13 products from nine different bakers, with a 30-person judging panel, and decided they found a winner.

Sweet expectations fulfilled with strawberry cakes
Members of the cake jury. Photo: Patrick Sabo

The blind tasting was organized by Yelp as a big picnic and took place in the beautiful Burggarten. The main criteria were the appearance and of course the taste. The winner was Gregors Konditorei with its strawberry-mousse cake, which scored 3,76 out of 5 points. 


The winner from Gregor's Konditorei. Photo: Patrick Sabo

Landtmann’s feine Patisserie had been ranked in second place with 3,52 points, while third place went to Kurkonditorei Oberlaa for its strawberry-cream cake with its 3,39 points.

The complete results and ranking can be found below.

The next taste test is going to be on November 9th, where they are going to vote for the best apple strudel.

Here you can find the complete results:

1. Gregors Konditorei – Marzipan-Erdbeermousse-Torte (No 12)

2. Landtmann's feine Patisserie – Erdbeerfleck (No 5)

3. Kurkonditorei Oberlaa – Erdbeer-Obers Torte (No 14)

4. Der Mann der verwöhnt – Erdbeerrondo (No 9)

5. Groissböck – Erdbeerschüsserl (No 8)

6. Palmenhaus – Erdbeermohntorte (No 6) und Ströck – Kathis Erdbeerkuchen (No 15)

7. Aida – Erdbeertorte (No 1)

8. Ströck – Erdbeerschnitten (No 7)

9. Aida – Erdbeerschnitten (No 2) und Aida – Erdbeerschüsserl (No 3)

10. Der Mann der verwöhnt – Erdbeerschnitte (No 10)

11. Der Mann der verwöhnt – Erdbeerzauber (No 11)

12. K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäckerei L. Heiner – Erdbeerschnitten (No 4)

13. Kurkonditorei Oberlaa – Erdbeer-Souffle Torte (No 13)

The judges made the following comments:

“Beautiful location at the Burggarten, with shade under a huge tree, the picnic blankets with 15 delicious Strawberry cakes were awaiting us!”


Photo: Patrick Sabo

“Don't judge a book by its cover, also applies for cakes. I was unpleasantly surprised from a few that looked great but didn't really live up to the expectations and some simple looking ones were heavenly delicious! The job of a jury member is not an easy one…hehe…but it's certainly a pleasant one!”

“My favorite at the end was, number 5 and least favorite number 3. Most disappointing was number 10, cause it looked real good…but unfortunately didn't taste anything like imagined!”


Photo: Patrick Sabo

“Seriously what could be better than bringing people together to meet new people, enjoy their company and eat Strawberry Torte? Nothing. Trying Vienna's various strawberry tortes was one of the best things I've ever done in Vienna.”

“I think Der Mann der verwöhnt's Erdbeerschnitte was one of the best as well as Ströck's Erdbeerschnitten and Aida's Erdbeerschüsserl. Though Kurkonditorei Oberlaa's Erdbeer-Obers Torte wasn't too bad either. All in all it was pretty tasty and pretty yummy and I am going to all those places to get my Strawberry Torte :)”


Photo: Patrick Sabo

“Best of all was not only seeing the great tortes but then getting to taste ALL 15 of them!!! Turns out the best looking torte for me also was the best tasting and just so happened to be the winner!!”

“It was a perfect Vienna summer night weather-wise and a tasty Vienna summer night food-wise.” 

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Kaffee und Kuchen: The history behind a very German tradition

This leisurely afternoon ritual is key to the German lifestyle.

Kaffee und Kuchen: The history behind a very German tradition
A family takes part in the Kaffee und Kuchen tradition in Zellingen, Bavaria. Photo: DPA

The mid-afternoon is a signal to many Germans for a traditional pick-me-up in the form of “Kaffee und Kuchen” – literally, coffee and cake. 

Be it with coworkers, friends, or family, the culture of “Kaffeeklatsch” (the act of catching up over the two delights) enjoys nationwide popularity, typically between the hours of 3 and 4pm. 

READ ALSO: Nine German treats you'll want to eat right now (and one you won't)

You might invite guests to your home to show off your own hand-baked goods, or if you prefer to trust someone else to take care of the baking instead, countless cafes and the more authentic ‘Konditorei’ are dotted all over the country – and as a general rule of thumb, the more old-fashioned, the better.

A typical selection at a Konditorei. Photo: DPA

A longstanding tradition

The origins of the beloved custom can be traced back to the 17th century, when coffee was first imported to Germany. In these times, it was only the aristocracy who would indulge in the pastime, but by the 19th century the indulgent treat became more accessible, and the combination has since become a cultural staple.

Whilst the working world often only allows for a quick, shop-bought treat during the week, Germans will often make use of the weekends to celebrate with large pots of coffee and a selection of delicious sweet treats.

READ ALSO: A brewing moment: Germany's baristas compete to create world's top coffee

And despite being somewhat comparable to the English custom of ‘afternoon tea’, the cakes you’ll find in Germany are nowhere near as dainty.

Expect to see a big slab of decadent Bienenstich, Erdbeertorte or Baumkuchen enticing you from behind the glass counter of the patisserie. 

Regional variations

Exactly how your ‘coffee and cake’ set-up may look differs across the country and time of year, as traditional German cakes vary according to both region and season. 

In the Black Forest, cafes are known for their Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte – indulgent layers of whipped cream and chocolate sponge (with added cherry liquor as the secret ingredient) are topped with chocolate shavings and cherries. 

A slice of Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte. Photo: DPA

In Bavaria, it’s the Prinzregententorte, which combines seven layers of sponge and chocolate buttercream to symbolise its seven districts, finished with apricot jam, dark chocolate and cream. 

Frankfurt’s speciality is the Frankfurter Kranz, a Bundt cake layered with jam and buttercream and sprinkled with caramelised nuts. Over the festive period, Germans enjoy Stollen, a Christmas speciality from Saxony – a fruit bread made of nuts, spices and dried fruit and coated with icing sugar. 

Bringing together the chance to catch up with friends and to sample some delicious German delicacies, indulging in ‘Kaffee und Kuchen’ really is the perfect way to spend your Mittagspause (afternoon break).

 
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