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Questions and Answers
Which position in the coffee house hierarchy is considered the head waiter?
What role did the Sitzkassierin play in the coffee houses until 1840?
Which café is associated with writers like Leo Trotzki spending hours playing chess?
Stefan Zweig described the Viennese café as a kind of:
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What is a characteristic of the customers at Café Central according to Alfred Polgar?
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What role do Viennese coffee houses play in society?
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How do Austrians emphasize the word 'Kaffee' when pronouncing it?
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What is a typical feature of a traditional café's interior?
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What is traditionally included when coffee is served in a Viennese café?
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What has changed about the offerings in cafés over time?
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What characterizes the atmosphere of Vienna's coffee houses?
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What was the initial offering of traditional cafés in the past?
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From which region can the practice of coffee drinking be traced back?
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Which city was the first in Europe to import coffee?
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Who is credited with opening the first coffee house in Vienna?
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In what year did women gain access to coffee houses in Vienna?
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What significant cultural role did coffee houses play in the 19th century?
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What happened to many coffee houses owned by Jews in 1938?
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Which of the following events is associated with the establishment of the first coffee house in Austria?
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How many coffee houses were there in Vienna in 1938?
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What type of social activities were coffee houses known for in the 19th century?
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What significant recognition did the 'Viennese Coffee House Culture' receive in 2011?
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Which of the following is a typical feature of a Viennese coffee house?
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What is a defining characteristic of the furnishings in a Viennese coffee house?
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How does the coffee culture in Tyrol differ from that in Vienna?
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Which coffee preparation is considered typical in Vienna?
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What form of social interaction is embodied in the Viennese coffee house culture?
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Which of the following best describes the atmosphere of a typical Viennese coffee house?
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What is emphasized about the consumption at a Viennese coffee house?
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Study Notes
The Viennese Coffee House Tradition
- Coffee in Austria, especially Vienna, is more than just a beverage. It's a deeply rooted cultural practice.
- Viennese coffee houses are gathering spots for intellectuals, politicians, businesspeople, and everyday citizens.
- These coffee houses are renowned for their relaxed atmosphere, often serving as a second home for regulars.
- Austrians pronounce "coffee" (Kaffee) with emphasis on the last syllable, a slight distinction from their German neighbors.
- Ordering from a coffee house waiter ("Herr Ober") is a cultural ritual.
- The selection of coffee drinks extends far beyond simple black coffee.
- Coffee is traditionally served in elegant cups with matching saucers on silver trays, accompanied by a glass of water with a spoon resting on top.
- The interiors of traditional Viennese coffee houses feature round tables, bentwood chairs, hat stands, waiters in dinner jackets, convenient newspaper holders, and the aroma of cigarettes and cigars.
- While formerly offering a limited pastry selection, modern coffee houses expand their offerings to include alcohol, snacks, and even full menus.
History of Coffee Houses
- The practice of coffee drinking originated in 14th-century Arabia.
- The spread of coffee from Arabia to Northern Africa, India, and Europe occurred through Arab trade expansion.
- Venice, Italy, was the first European city to import coffee.
- The first European coffee house opened in Italy in 1647.
- The British East India Company played a significant role in making coffee widely available in England during the 1650s.
- Vienna's first coffee house opened in 1683, following the Battle of Vienna.
- Legend has it, Polish military officer Jerzy Franciszek Kolschitzky, a fluent Romanian and Turkish speaker who remained after the Ottoman retreat, was the first to brew coffee from beans left behind. He is credited with introducing the custom of adding sugar and milk to coffee, popularizing it in Vienna.
- However, the first coffee houses in Vienna were actually established by Armenian businessmen.
- Coffee houses became a fixture of cultivated leisure in the 19th century.
- They evolved to serve newspapers, providing a space for public opinion formation, and offered games like cards, billiards, and chess.
- Viennese coffee houses became prominent meeting places for journalists, writers, politicians, professionals, and the middle class.
- The First Vienna Concert Café opened in 1788.
- In 1890, the Café Griensteidl in Vienna became a popular gathering spot for young writers, including Hofmannsthal, Kraus, and Schnitzler, solidifying its reputation as a "Literatencafé."
- 1891 saw the opening of 30 elegant coffee houses on Vienna's Ringstrasse.
- Women gained access to Viennese coffee houses in 1856, ending a previous ban.
- Vienna boasted over 1280 coffee houses in 1938.
- The Nazi regime confiscated Jewish-owned coffee houses in 1938.
- A decline in coffee houses began after 1950.
- A revival of coffee house culture emerged around 1990, coinciding with the 300th anniversary of the first Viennese coffee house in 1983.
Staff Hierarchy
- Coffee house staff had a well-defined hierarchy.
- The "Oberkellner" or "Herr Ober" (head waiter) held the highest position, responsible for overseeing operations.
- "Kellner" (waiters) served the customers.
- "Kaffeekoch" (coffee makers) prepared the coffee.
- "Piccolo" (apprentice waiters) assisted the other staff members.
- "Sitzkassierin" (sit-in cashier) was the only woman allowed in coffee houses until 1840.
Classic Viennese Coffee Houses
- Griensteidl: Primarily frequented by writers.
- Sperl: Popular with artists, painters, architects, and military personnel.
- Landtmann: A gathering spot for university professors.
- Central: Known for attracting writers and artists (Leo Trotzki, a famous Russian revolutionary and political theorist, spent hours playing chess at the Café Central.).
Testimonials
- Austrian writer Stefan Zweig described the Viennese café as "an institution of a special kind...a sort of democratic club for discussion, writing, and playing cards."
- Alfred Polgar, another writer, commented on Vienna's legendary Café Central, stating: "Its inhabitants are, for the most part, people who are misanthropes, and whose aversion to other people is as acute as their need for people: who want to be alone, but must have company to do so.....The Cafe Central comes to his rescue, inviting him to join and escape. Its customers know, love and underestimate one another....The Café Central is a village in the center of the metropolis, steaming with gossip, curiosity and slander."
- Hans Weigel observed: "In and around Vienna, coffee is more than just a drink...it has become as much a part of the people's soul as beer in Bavaria, whiskey in Scotland, wine on the Rhine..."
Cultural Heritage
- Since October 2011, "Viennese Coffee House Culture" has been recognized as "Intangible Cultural Heritage" by the Austrian inventory of the "National Agency for the Intangible Cultural Heritage," a part of UNESCO.
- The inventory describes Vienna coffee houses as places "where time and space are consumed, but only the coffee is found on the bill."
- Key criteria for defining Viennese coffee house culture include traditional furniture like marble-topped tables, bentwood chairs, large chandeliers, distinctive menus and service, newspapers, live piano music, and billiard tables.
- The Viennese coffee house embodies a unique "mélange" of cosiness, charm, and cosmopolitan urbanity.
Tyrol/Innsbruck
- While the Viennese coffee house tradition exists in Tyrol/Innsbruck, it is less prevalent compared to Vienna.
- There are a handful of traditional Viennese cafés in Tyrol, such as Cafe Central, Cafe Katzung, Cafe Valier, Cafe Munding, and Cafe Aida.
- Tyrol is more known for "Konditoreien," which are less elegant and urban establishments where coffee and pastries are served.
- The text concludes with a call to action, encouraging students to experience Austrian coffee culture firsthand by conducting "mystery shopping" at Innsbruck coffee houses.
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Description
Explore the rich cultural significance of coffee houses in Vienna. This quiz delves into their role as social hubs for various citizens, the unique practices involved in ordering and serving coffee, and the distinct ambiance these establishments create. Discover what makes Viennese coffee culture a cherished tradition.
