Intermezzo 5 - Sacher-Torte

This is one of Vienna's most famous delicacies, dating back to its creation by Franz Sacher in 1832. It is a (fairly dry) chocolate cake coated with apricot jam and an icing of dark chocolate. Strong-tasting, but not overly sweet, allowing the quality of the chocolate to come through. Sacher-Torte is traditionally served with unsweetened whipped cream and a cup of good coffee to counter its dryness.

To this day, its recipe is a closely-guarded secret, although there are undoubtedly many pretenders to the throne - indeed, legal battles have erupted over claims to the "Original Sacher-Torte". The cakes are available in a number of sizes -  the one below is the second-smallest size (16 cm diameter), purchased from the CafĂ© Sacher in Vienna.

Sacher-Torte - Hotel Sacher, Vienna, Austria (2012)