Based in Charlotte, NC, Peter Zeller holds senior responsibilities with Honeywell International Inc., where he is responsible for strategic sourcing in a business unit. An avid traveler who is active with the Society for Military History, Peter Zeller has visited countries around the world, including Austria.
One of the enduring aspects of life in Vienna is the coffee house, and this has historical roots extending to the 17th century. As legend has it, coffee’s introduction was closely tied to the lengthy and unsuccessful Siege of Vienna by Ottoman Turkish forces. As the army retreated in 1683, several sacks of coffee beans were left behind.
These beans reputedly came into the possession of an Austrian officer named Jerzy Franciszek Kulczycki, who had spent time in captivity and experienced Turkish coffee culture first hand. Kulczycki is credited with adapting a strong, concentrated brew to European tastes through the addition of sugar and milk.
Two years later, in 1685, Johannes Theodat established the first known coffee house in Vienna. This early caffeinated gathering place featured a color chart, enabling patrons to easily select their preferred brew strength.
To this day, many Viennese coffee houses have traditions that extend back centuries, with the renowned Cafe Korb having hosted Emperor Franz Josef on the day it opened in 1904. Serving as “extended living rooms,” they typically contain racks of newspapers and, more importantly, provide a place to gather with friends and discuss, or simply observe, life.
