Europe, Food & Drink, History & Culture

Imperial Torte – A Slice of History

September 24, 2015

Imperial Torte – A Slice of History

Like the palaces along the Ringstrasse Boulevard, the hand-made Imperial Torte is a symbol of Vienna’s rich history. Legend has it that this remarkable torte was created to celebrate the opening of the Hotel Imperial in 1873 and to honour his Imperial Highness, Emperor Franz Joseph. When it comes to sweet treats, the Imperial Torte is a big deal.

What began as a special confection created over 150 years ago, is still prepared in the Hotel Imperial kitchen using only the finest ingredients. After sampling the heavenly Imperial Torte, I wasn’t surprised to discover that the recipe is a closely guarded secret.

A slice of the original Imperial Torte

In recent years, the Imperial Torte offering has expanded to include two delicious additions – the Mozart Edition and Schwarze Orange Edition.

Original Edition

Milk chocolate, almond pastry, marzipan and layers of feather-light cocoa cream make it impossible to stop after just one bite of the Original Imperial Torte. I was thrilled to discover that the breakfast buffet at the Hotel Imperial’s Café Imperial includes slices of torte along with champagne. The perfect way to begin a day in Vienna!

Hotel-Imperial-Vienna-Imperial-Torte-Champagne-brunch

Champagne and Imperial Torte are a popular choice at the Café Imperial breakfast buffet.

Mozart Edition

Created in 2006, to honour the 250th birthday of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the milk chocolate Imperial Torte Mozart Edition includes a coating of pistachio marzipan around the layers of cocoa cream, providing a unique taste experience.

Schwarze Orange Edition

If you prefer dark chocolate, you will be tempted by the Imperial Torte Schwarze Orange (Black Orange) Edition. This decadent torte’s dark chocolate, flavored with orange marzipan, envelopes crispy layers of pastry filled with delicious chocolate-coffee cream.

Schwarze orange Imperial Torte on a plate

Where to Find the Imperial Torte

A visit to Vienna is always an excellent idea, and the Imperial Torte is widely available at the Hotel Imperial, a favorite hotel in Austria’s capital city.

Four Imperial Torte chocolates from Hotel Imperial Vienna

If a visit to Vienna isn’t possible or if you are craving this delicious treat for yourself or as a gift, you are in luck! The Imperial Torte is available for delivery throughout the world through the Office of the Imperial Torte at the Hotel Imperial. The torte travels the world in a wooden keepsake case enclosed in an elegant box, hand-sealed and decorated with silk ribbon. Unwrapping the Imperial Torte is almost as much fun as eating it!

Original Imperial Torte in a wooden keepsake box

The use of high-quality ingredients ensures that the Imperial Torte retains a shelf-life of eight weeks provided it is refrigerated. If you order the torte online, the shipment process is very quick, and the short interruption of refrigeration will not impact the Imperial Torte’s shelf-life.

Tips

  • The Imperial Torte is available in different sizes including king, queen, piccolo, and mignon. The Office of the Imperial Torte website includes all of the various options and associated prices.
  • The Mignon Trilogy option of 1x Schwarze Orange, 1x The Original, and 1x Mozart Edition is a lovely gift.

Triple mignon Imperial Torte - Mozart, Original and Schwarze Orange

Vienna is one of our favourite cities in Europe. Discover our favourite things to do in Vienna, apart from eating Imperial Torte, and why we love staying at the Hotel Imperial.

 

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20 Comments

  • Reply Fiona @ London-Unattached November 7, 2015 at 2:47 pm

    It does look very very good! Though, I suspect you can really only eat small pieces?

    • Reply LuxeTravelFamily November 11, 2015 at 6:05 pm

      Thank you! Yes, the Imperial Torte is usually served in thin slices .

  • Reply Lesley November 7, 2015 at 7:38 pm

    Well that does it; I’m hungry again. The Mozart Edition sounds delicious!

    • Reply LuxeTravelFamily November 11, 2015 at 6:12 pm

      Thank you for the comment, Lesley. I can assure you that the Mozart Edition is delicious!

  • Reply Carly November 8, 2015 at 2:03 am

    Forget the torte, I’d eat a bucket of orange marzipan lol. Looks heavenly!

    • Reply LuxeTravelFamily November 11, 2015 at 6:11 pm

      Thank you!

  • Reply Gemma November 8, 2015 at 8:51 am

    What an eat-resting post! You forget how big of an impact food is on the historical culture of a country. It does look very royal and grand! Marzipan though… Dividing the nation!

    • Reply LuxeTravelFamily November 11, 2015 at 6:17 pm

      So true Gemma – I enjoy exploring culture through food.

  • Reply Karla (Karla Around The World) November 8, 2015 at 3:43 pm

    Oh my, this looks so delicious. Every layer seemed meticulously prepared. I love how they pack them too.

    • Reply LuxeTravelFamily November 11, 2015 at 6:19 pm

      Thank you Karla! I love the preparation and packaging too 🙂

  • Reply Mags November 8, 2015 at 7:08 pm

    What a great gift to bring home from Vienna! These look delicious.

    • Reply LuxeTravelFamily November 11, 2015 at 6:21 pm

      I agree – the Imperial Torte is a lovely gift from Vienna.

  • Reply Monica November 9, 2015 at 11:03 am

    Yes, Vienna is definitely one of my favourite European city for sweets 😉

    • Reply LuxeTravelFamily November 10, 2015 at 10:04 am

      Mine too Monica! I love that I can order Imperial Torte from Canada 😉

  • Reply Dawn Kealing November 9, 2015 at 2:48 pm

    Oh my gosh?! Did I read that correctly… dark chocolate orange?! I would seriously die and go to heaven. Dark chocolate and orange are my two favorite treats and flavors!

    I thought I had enough reasons to visit Vienna already… this just sealed the deal! Thanks for sharing. 🙂

    • Reply LuxeTravelFamily November 10, 2015 at 10:01 am

      The dark chocolate orange was divine – you would love it!

  • Reply Meg Jerrard November 10, 2015 at 4:20 pm

    You’ve made my mouth sufficiently start to water right now!!! I loved traveling through Vienna for it’s range of chocolate, and highly recommend this as a foodie destination for anyone with a sweet tooth!

    • Reply LuxeTravelFamily November 10, 2015 at 4:52 pm

      Thanks Meg. Vienna is a fabulous foodie destination, especially if you love chocolate. I would happily eat Imperial Torte from morning til night 😉

  • Reply Vanessa November 11, 2015 at 4:05 pm

    So much drool! What beautiful, elegant treats – these would make the perfect thank you gifts for someone who helped make your trip special (assuming you don’t eat them first- I wouldn’t be safe around the orange chocolate).

    • Reply LuxeTravelFamily November 11, 2015 at 5:46 pm

      Thanks Vanessa! I was thinking the same – Imperial Torte would be such a wonderful gift.

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