Dispute Erupts Over Origin of Mozartkugeln
A debate is brewing in Austria over the true origins of the famed Mozartkugeln, or Mozart balls, chocolate pralines. Historian Gerhard Ammerer, researching a book on the confection, has presented evidence challenging the long-held belief that Paul Fürst first created the sweet.
Currently, only Fürst confectionery in Salzburg is permitted to use the name “Original Salzburger Mozartkugeln,” adn continues to produce the pralines by hand using what they claim is the original recipe. The confectionery maintains that Paul Fürst invented the Mozart ball in 1890, naming it in honour of composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
However, Ammerer claims to have discovered an advertisement in the febuary 3, 1881, edition of Die Presse for a confectioner named R. Baumann, whose business was a precursor to today’s Holzermayr confectioneries. “According to Ammerer, it is therefore necessary to reconsider the current legend of the inventor,” the article states.
The Holzermayr family, upon learning of the advertisement, indicated they are considering legal action and consulting with a trademark expert. Martin Fürst, the current owner of Fürst confectionery, stands by his ancestor’s claim, asserting that he created the original version, which was later copied.
This isn’t the first legal challenge surrounding the mozartkugeln. In 2017, the Austrian Supreme Court ruled against another company for offering a product in packaging too similar to that of Fürst confectionery.
Mozartkugeln are spherical chocolates comprised of pistachio marzipan and nougat, coated in chocolate. While the original, handmade Mozartkugeln are produced exclusively by Fürst, numerous industrially produced versions are sold globally, typically wrapped in silver or gold foil featuring a portrait of Mozart.