It was 1683. The Turks were defeated in the Battle of Vienna. And in a hurry to retreat, they left behind hundreds of sacks of mysterious green beans. The usefulness of the beans was soon discovered, and coffee quickly became a favored drink. But because of its bitter taste, people experimented with adding other ingredients such as milk and sugar. Shops to sell this popular beverage in its many forms were set up all over town, marking the birth of the Viennese coffee tradition.

The Viennese consider themselves coffee connoisseurs and would never just order "a cup of coffee." At first, the coffee drinks did not have names, so patrons would order based on their ingredients. As time passed, names were adapted for the more popular combinations of coffee, cream, milk, liqueur and a variety of toppings.

It wasn’t until the early 1900s that the era’s most noted writers began using these cafés as a place of work and leisure. Furnishings, décor, service and culture combined to create a welcoming atmosphere, and thus the Viennese Coffeehouse became an institution, gaining an international reputation as the ultimate casual gathering spot. Not much has changed and to this day, they are a wonderful place to relax as well as gather for social events.



Visit Vienna in 2009 with Viking River Cruises
Click here to explore cruises that include Vienna 		THIS IS NOT YOUR
NEIGHBORHOOD COFFEE SHOP
When in Vienna, you can't just order a "mocha" because it is very different, so here are a few coffee drinks for you to try:

• Schwarzer – strong black coffee

• Mokka – a double shot of coffee, similar   to espresso

• Brauner – coffee with a dash of milk   or cream

• Kaffee Crème – coffee with a miniature   pitcher of milk on the side

• Einspänner – coffee served in a glass   topped with whipped cream

• Mélange – half coffee and half steamed   milk with an optional dollop of   whipped cream

• Pharisäer – coffee served in a glass with   sugar, cocoa, rum and whipped cream

• Fiaker – coffee with rum, brandy or   kirsch, served in a glass and topped with   whipped cream and a cherry (named after   Vienna's signature horse-drawn carriage)