Too Delicious to Resist... The Cake That Sparked a Dispute [Delicious Story]

Sachertorte, Vienna’s Signature Cake

A Legal Battle Between Two Dessert Houses Over the Original

Now, Proudly Representing Austria Together

Editor's NoteThe earliest known confectionery can be traced back to the ancient Mesopotamian civilization. In that sense, sweets have been a continual part of every moment in human history. From biscuits and chocolate to ice cream, we present the delicious stories behind the treats we love.

These days, Sachertorte can often be found in local cafes and bakeries in Korea. This chocolate cake, which originated in Vienna, the capital of Austria, has established itself as a signature European dessert. Even at the time of its debut, Sachertorte captivated both the eyes and palates of food lovers. For a time, a “cake war” broke out in Vienna’s baking industry over this very cake.

The Cake That Impressed a Great European Statesman

Hotel Sacher's 'Original Sachertorte'. Hotel Sacher

Sachertorte is made by spreading tangy apricot jam between layers of soft sponge cake, then coating the cake’s exterior with rich dark chocolate mousse. This specialty dessert, crafted by skilled pastry chefs at Vienna’s century-old five-star Hotel Sacher, has become a renowned symbol of the city. A slice of Sachertorte paired with a cup of coffee at Hotel Sacher is served with the highest level of hospitality.

The Sachertorte was invented in 1832 by pastry chef Franz Sacher. It is said that he created the dessert to serve to Klemens von Metternich, the legendary statesman and diplomat of Europe, and that Metternich himself praised its flavor when he tasted it.

Impressing the chancellor of the Austrian Empire instantly propelled Sacher to the ranks of Vienna’s top bakers. He opened “Café Sacher” in Vienna, where he sold both cakes and coffee. Thanks to the growing fame of the Sachertorte, the café quickly prospered, and Sacher eventually passed the business on to his son, Eduard.

Recipe Rights Become Tangled Amid Economic Downturns

Eduard used the proceeds from Sachertorte sales to expand the building and founded Hotel Sacher, after which the Sacher family continued to operate the hotel for generations. Today, Hotel Sacher remains a thriving five-star hotel in central Vienna, but it was not always successful. During the Great Depression in the 1930s, which originated in the United States, Austria suffered an economic crisis that brought the hotel to the brink of closure.

The current appearance of Hotel Sacher. The first floor preserves the café where Franz Sacher created and sold the Sachertorte. Hotel Sacher website

At the time, Hotel Sacher narrowly avoided bankruptcy by selling the rights to the Sachertorte recipe and sales license to Demel, a large confectionery company. When the economy recovered, Hotel Sacher attempted to reacquire the Sachertorte sales rights from Demel, but this time Demel refused. The two companies became embroiled in a dispute over the use of the Sachertorte trademark, which soon escalated into a legal battle.

The legal confrontation between Hotel Sacher and Demel lasted from 1954 to 1963. As Sachertorte was a dessert created in the 19th century, both parties fiercely argued their claims, bringing in bakers, historians, culinary researchers, and even philologists to study ancient texts. The dispute over the cake was widely reported in the media at the time as the “Cake War of Vienna,” drawing the public’s attention.

In 1963, Hotel Sacher and Demel finally reached a settlement. The result was that both sides could sell the Sachertorte; Hotel Sacher, which held the original recipe, would use the trademark “Original Sacher Torte,” while Demel would sell its version under the name “Demel’s Sachertorte.”

Today, Both Cakes Are Proud Symbols of Viennese Dessert Culture

Comparison of the original Sachertorte (left) and Demel's Sachertorte. Screenshot from the online homepage.

The legal battle may be over, but competition between Hotel Sacher and Demel continues to this day. “Original Sacher Torte” and “Demel’s Sachertorte” each showcase their unique characteristics and continue to attract tourists and dessert lovers alike.

The Original Sacher Torte is distinguished by the application of apricot jam both inside the cake and over its exterior—two layers in total. Demel’s Sachertorte, on the other hand, coats only the surface with apricot jam, but features a thicker and firmer dark chocolate glaze. For both cakes, a scoop of rich cream is served on the side. The original is topped with a round chocolate seal, while the Demel version features a triangular chocolate marker.

Debate continues over which is the tastier chocolate cake; preferences vary by taste. However, there is no dispute that both establishments are among Vienna’s most iconic dessert destinations. Hotel Sacher is located in the city’s cultural heart, Innere Stadt, while Demel operates near the Hofburg Palace in the same area.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.