Kaiserschmarrn

Austria is a captivating land of mountains, rich in charm and historical narratives. Beyond its fascinating tourist attractions, this country boasts a distinctive culinary culture. One of Austria's most beloved dishes that we introduce today is Kaiserschmarrn (KY-zer-shmarrn), a shredded pancake that impressively secured the 2nd spot among the 85 best pancake dishes in the world, as ranked by TasteAtlas.com. Today, Rimping Supermarket invites you to delve into the delicious story of this imperial dessert.

Royal Legends: Kaiserschmarrn and Emperor Franz Joseph I

The history of Kaiserschmarrn is adorned with several captivating tales, each intricately linked to Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria (18301916), a beloved monarch among Austrians.

The first story recounts that his consort, Empress Elisabeth of Bavaria (also known as "Sisi"), was very strict about maintaining her figure. One day, Empress Elisabeth instructed her imperial chef to prepare a light dessert for her. The chef prepared a pancake, tore it into pieces, and sprinkled it with just a little icing sugar. However, upon serving, she declared the dessert too rich and sweet and refused to eat it.

Consequently, Emperor Franz Joseph, who was fond of sweets, became annoyed with his wife's excessive obsession with maintaining her figure. He exclaimed, Now let me see what Schmarrn our chef has cooked up, roughly translating to "Let me see what nonsense our chef has cooked up this time." But upon tasting it, he surprisingly loved it and finished the entire portion. Over time, this dessert became known as Kaiserschmarrn. The word Kaiser (KY-zer) means Emperor, and Schmarrn (shmarrn) means nonsense or a trifle/mess. Combined, the dish's name roughly translates to Emperor's Nonsense or Emperors Mess.

Another tale suggests that Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife stopped at a hotel while traveling through the Alps. The hotel owner, eager to welcome royal guests, instructed the chef to prepare a dessert. The chef initially intended to make French crepes, but he made a mistake, and several pancakes broke. To salvage the situation, he improvised by tearing the remaining pancakes into pieces, dusting them with icing sugar, and topping them with various fruits (often stewed plums). When served, the Emperor was delighted and exclaimed, Schmarrn!, playfully, as he was known for his good humor. From that day on, this shredded pancake was called Kaiserschmarrn.

A final story posits that Empress Elisabeth herself attempted to cook in the kitchen, intending to make pancakes. However, she was not skilled at flipping them, so she decided to tear the pancakes into pieces, sprinkle them with icing sugar, and serve them to Emperor Franz Joseph, who thoroughly enjoyed them.

From Peasant Dish to Globally Loved Dessert

Nevertheless, despite these royal anecdotes, the true origin of Kaiserschmarrn is believed to have recipes dating back to the Middle Ages. Originally, it was a simple peasant dish in the Alpine regions, made from readily available basic ingredients. Over time, it evolved into the popular dessert we know today, with the addition of other ingredients such as raisins (often soaked in rum), nuts, and various fruits (like apples), and commonly served with a fruit compote, especially plum compote (Zwetschkenröster).

Beyond its delicious taste, Kaiserschmarrn holds significant cultural importance in Austria and neighboring regions like Southern Germany and the Alps. It is often enjoyed during ski holidays in the Alps, as Kaiserschmarrn is an excellent dish for providing warmth and energy after skiing in cold weather. It's typically served with hot coffee or tea, making it a satisfying dessert that appeals to sweet lovers worldwide.

Kaiserschmarrn is more than just a pancake; it is a symbol of Austria's rich history and culinary heritage. At Rimping Supermarket, we offer a wide array of excellent quality ingredients, including flour, eggs, milk, sugar, and various fruits, ready for you to create delicious Kaiserschmarrn at home. Experience an authentic Austrian taste that you're sure to love!