I have been very disappointed with chocolate lately. Even my Leonidas Easter Egg was lacking. So imagine my joy when someone produced this box of chocolates at work one day - a present from a very kind benefactor with impeccable taste. The beautiful box was full of chocolate promise, but I had been down that road before, with a beautiful tin from Carluccio's which turned out to contain acrid cherry liquors. This time the promise was fulfilled. The box pictured above was filled (for a very short time) with three tiers of the most joyful, melt in the mouth chocolates. Small, bite size morsels with subtle and divine flavour.
We knew the box hailed from Vienna. A little google investigation found that the Demel Café and Bakery in Vienna was a connoisseur secret. I believe the pictures below are of Demel - you never can tell with the internet, nevertheless, they conjure up the idea perfectly. The Demel shop in Kohlmarkt was founded by Ludwig Dehne in 1786. I imagine a visit to Demel must be very atmospheric, starting with a large glass window containing a display to rival Juliette Binoche's Easter window in "Chocolat". With architecture and decor steeped in the Baroque style preserved over the centuries and the sweet aroma of pastries and chocolate filling the air - It's definitely being added to my travel wish-list.
And it is the gift that keeps on giving! As I got to keep the empty box afterwards. In true "Chocolate Box" style the quaint illustration on the front of the box pictures a perfect innocent world, the children in their Sunday best must be off to visit the Demel Shop for a special treat. Will they leave the dog behind? You can see he is a fan of Demel too! The pale blue is reminiscent of Marie Antoinette and Tiffanys, both icons of luxury. But my favourite element of the box has got to be the repeat pattern with the Demel logo lining the box, there is something so pleasing about the simplicity of the hand drawn script.
Interestingly until 1965, Demel was involved in a drawn-out legal battle with the Sacher about the origins of the Sachertorte, as both claimed it started in their pastry kitchens. The legendary hotel won, though Demel still sells its own version. Apparently the Sacher torte has a thin layer of apricot jam in the center, while Demel’s has its right underneath the dark-chocolate glaze. Quite frankly, I'd be happy with either...
We knew the box hailed from Vienna. A little google investigation found that the Demel Café and Bakery in Vienna was a connoisseur secret. I believe the pictures below are of Demel - you never can tell with the internet, nevertheless, they conjure up the idea perfectly. The Demel shop in Kohlmarkt was founded by Ludwig Dehne in 1786. I imagine a visit to Demel must be very atmospheric, starting with a large glass window containing a display to rival Juliette Binoche's Easter window in "Chocolat". With architecture and decor steeped in the Baroque style preserved over the centuries and the sweet aroma of pastries and chocolate filling the air - It's definitely being added to my travel wish-list.
And it is the gift that keeps on giving! As I got to keep the empty box afterwards. In true "Chocolate Box" style the quaint illustration on the front of the box pictures a perfect innocent world, the children in their Sunday best must be off to visit the Demel Shop for a special treat. Will they leave the dog behind? You can see he is a fan of Demel too! The pale blue is reminiscent of Marie Antoinette and Tiffanys, both icons of luxury. But my favourite element of the box has got to be the repeat pattern with the Demel logo lining the box, there is something so pleasing about the simplicity of the hand drawn script.
Interestingly until 1965, Demel was involved in a drawn-out legal battle with the Sacher about the origins of the Sachertorte, as both claimed it started in their pastry kitchens. The legendary hotel won, though Demel still sells its own version. Apparently the Sacher torte has a thin layer of apricot jam in the center, while Demel’s has its right underneath the dark-chocolate glaze. Quite frankly, I'd be happy with either...
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