Poppy Seed Pastries and Poppy Seed Noodles These are among the specialties you should try while on vacation in the Waldviertel. Both combine poppy seeds with potato dough, but differ significantly in how they’re prepared: Mohnzelten are filled and baked, while Mohnnudeln are shaped, boiled, and then mixed with poppy seeds.
For our vacation guests in Gutenbrunn They’re a wonderful opportunity to combine an outing with regional culinary delights. A cozy stop for refreshments, a visit to the Mohndorf Armschlag Or you can easily work a coffee break with a poppy seed roll into your vacation.
We, Anna and Herbert, recommend that you take the time to sample these delights. It’s the little moments of pleasure that make a stay in the Waldviertel so special—and some of them can even be taken home as souvenirs.
Poppy Seed Cake and Poppy Seed Noodles: What's the Difference?
The names sound similar, but on your plate you'll find two different specialties.
| Characteristic | Poppy Camping | Poppy Seed Noodles |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Round, flat pastries | Elongated, hand-shaped pasta |
| Uses of Poppy Seeds | As a filling inside | As a topping for the cooked pasta |
| Preparation | Baked in the oven | Boiled in water and then tossed |
| A Typical Moment of Enjoyment | For a coffee break or to go | As a warm dessert or after-dinner treat |
What they have in common is the combination of potatoes and poppy seeds. How the dough and the other ingredients are combined depends on the specific recipe.
Our recommendation from Anna and Herbert: Try both versions during your stay. That way, you'll discover just how different the same basic ingredients can taste.
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Poppy Seed Pastries: Baked Delights with a Sweet Filling
A poppy seed pastry consists of a dough shell and a poppy seed filling. Boiled potatoes are among the ingredients used for the dough. The filled dough pieces are sealed, flattened, and baked.
When you cut into it, you'll see the dark filling inside. The ratio of dough to poppy seed filling is just as important to the taste as the spices and other ingredients used.
Why not every poppy seed roll tastes the same
Depending on the recipe, the filling may include ingredients such as cinnamon, rum, or raisins. One published variation of the recipe for Original Waldviertler Poppy Seed Rolls uses these ingredients to season the poppy seed filling.
If there are specific ingredients you prefer or would like to avoid, be sure to ask when you're shopping. This quick inquiry is especially worthwhile when it comes to a specialty made according to various in-house recipes.
A poppy-themed tent for the vacation break
A poppy-themed tent is perfect for an afternoon when you're out and about with plenty of time to spare. Perhaps you'll start by exploring a town, take a walk, and then sit down together for some coffee or tea.
You can also take this specialty home to enjoy later. When you buy it, ask about the recommended storage conditions and how long the pastry will stay fresh.
Our vacation tip: After an outing, plan to take a quiet break in your vacation rental. A poppy seed roll you brought along and a cup of coffee might be all you need.
Poppy Seed Noodles: A Warm Dessert Made from Potato Dough
Poppy seed noodles are shaped from a dough made with potatoes. The recipe published by Waldviertel Tourism, created by Rosi Neuwiesinger, the owner of the Mohnwirt, also calls for flour, butter, egg, and salt. The shaped noodles are boiled, then tossed in butter and sugar and mixed with ground gray poppy seeds.
The poppy seeds sit on top of the pasta. This allows you to experience the combination of the pasta, poppy seeds, and the ingredients the pasta was tossed in with every bite.
As a main course or dessert
If you like sweet main dishes, you can choose poppy seed noodles as a meal on their own. After a hearty meal, a smaller portion is a good choice.
At Mohnwirt Neuwiesinger, poppy seed noodles are listed both as a main course and as a dessert.
Our recommendation: If you'd like to try several specialties on a day off, ask about the portion sizes. That way, you might still have room for a sweet treat after lunch.
Check the ingredients before placing an order
Some recipes contain rum. Butter and eggs may also be included in the preparation. Therefore, if you follow a non-alcoholic, vegetarian, or vegan diet, you should ask about the specific version.
For children, it is also recommended to specifically ask for a version without alcohol.
Waldviertel Gray Poppy Seeds: The Common Ingredient
Waldviertel gray poppy seeds are used in numerous sweet and savory specialties. Products labeled „Waldviertler Graumohn g.U.“ bear a protected designation of origin.
For your culinary adventure, it might be interesting to pay attention to the origin of the poppy seeds used. When shopping or stopping for a bite to eat, ask what kind of poppy seeds are used.
This often leads to a conversation that goes beyond the individual dish—covering cultivation, processing, and ways to use poppy seeds at home.
Where You Can Find Poppy Seed Pastries and Poppy Seed Noodles
Mohnwirt Neuwiesinger in Armschlag
The Mohnwirt Neuwiesinger is a great place to try both of these specialties. The menu features poppy seed noodles; poppy seed pastries from the restaurant’s own bakery are available for takeout.
For an initial culinary comparison, you can enjoy a warm poppy seed dessert there and pick out a pastry to take home for later.
Our recommendation from Anna and Herbert: Combine your meal with a visit to the Mohndorf. This turns your meal into a varied outing that includes some exercise and offers a glimpse into the region’s culinary traditions.
Mohndorf Armschlag: Discover Poppy Seeds Beyond the Kitchen
Armschlag is located in the municipality of Sallingberg between Ottenschlag and Zwettl. The attractions described include a poppy nature trail, a poppy garden, and places to buy poppy products.
A stroll through the village can be the perfect complement to a stop for refreshments. You’ll learn about the plant and then sample a specialty made with it.
Before your visit, check the opening hours of the individual attractions. Just because a walking trail is open to the public doesn't mean that all shops and restaurants are open as well.
Einsiedl Café and Pastry Shop in Ottenschlag
The Café-Konditorei Einsiedl in Ottenschlag is also a good option for a coffee break with poppy seed pastries. Among other items, the café offers poppy seed pastries and poppy seed cakes on its dessert menu.
This option is ideal for guests who want to combine their visit to the town with a relaxing break.
Address: 4 Johannesgasse, 3631 Ottenschlag
Phone: +43 2872 7254
Before making a specific trip to our restaurant, please ask about the specialty you'd like and its current availability.
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Make Your Own Poppy Seed Cookies: An Experience for Groups
The Mohnwirt offers a baking demonstration where participants can fill and shape their own poppy seed pastries. The published offer is aimed at groups of ten to forty people and is listed for March through November.
If you're traveling with a larger group and are interested in learning how to prepare the meal, you can ask about a suitable date.
Individual guests or small families should not assume that this means they can participate on the spur of the moment. Please clarify the booking conditions directly with the business.
How to Plan a Sweet Treat Trip from Gutenbrunn
Start the day off right
Start with breakfast at your vacation rental. Then choose one main destination for your outing, rather than planning several visits in quick succession.
For a day centered around poppies, you could, for example, combine a walk through the fields with a stop for refreshments.
Set aside time to try it out
If you have a specific restaurant visit planned, make a reservation and time your arrival to coincide with the kitchen's operating hours.
If you're still undecided between poppy seed soup and poppy seed noodles, you don't have to make up your mind for the entire vacation: Enjoy the hot dish when you stop for a break, and take the pastries with you for a later snack.
End the day on a peaceful note
After you return to Gutenbrunn, you’ll have time to relax. Perhaps you’d like to take a short walk or just sit together in your vacation rental.
It is precisely this freedom that makes staying in a vacation rental so enjoyable: You decide for yourself when to go out and when you need a break.
Fun with kids, a dog, or limited mobility
A culinary excursion is especially successful when it suits everyone in the group.
When traveling with children, it’s a good idea to plan for short distances and timely meal breaks. Also, ask for small portions and inquire about the use of alcohol in sweet dishes.
If you are traveling with your dog, please check in advance whether dogs are allowed in the various indoor areas and dining areas.
If you have limited mobility or are traveling with a wheelchair, you should ask specific questions about accessibility, restroom facilities, parking options, and the conditions of planned walking routes.
When you submit your lodging request, please let us know what’s important to you. That way, we can work together to find the right vacation rental for your stay in Gutenbrunn.
Our Recommendation from Anna and Herbert
For a relaxing, indulgent vacation, we suggest: Try some poppy seed noodles during a leisurely stop and a poppy seed cake during a later coffee break.
This way, you can try both specialties in different situations and decide for yourself which one is your favorite.
Perhaps you’ll also bring home some poppy seeds or a local specialty. That way, in addition to photos and memories, you’ll have a little culinary connection to the Waldviertel.
Your vacation rental for a delightful stay in Gutenbrunn
With us—Anna and Herbert—you can plan your vacation at your own pace. Combine walks and excursions with regional cuisine, and in between, enjoy the peace and quiet of your vacation rental.
Poppy seed pastries and poppy seed noodles are a wonderful introduction to the sweet side of the Waldviertel. Add to that the scenery, the places to visit, and the time you can spend together.
We look forward to welcoming you to Gutenbrunn.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Poppy Seed Pastries and Poppy Seed Noodles
Are poppy seed rolls and poppy seed noodles the same thing?
No. Poppy seed pastries are filled, baked pastries. Poppy seed noodles are shaped from potato dough, boiled, and then mixed with poppy seeds.
Where can you try both of these specialties?
The Mohnwirt Neuwiesinger in Armschlag offers both specialties. Please check current availability before visiting.
Can you bring poppy seed pastries with you?
Yes, for example, Mohnwirt offers poppy seed pastries to go. Ask about storage and shelf life when you make your purchase.
Do poppy seed rolls or poppy seed noodles contain alcohol?
That depends on the recipe. Rum is sometimes included in published recipes. Therefore, be sure to ask specifically if you'd like a non-alcoholic version.
Are there vegan poppy seed noodles?
The Mohnwirt lists poppy seed noodles as an option that can also be made vegan. Please specify your preferred preparation when ordering.
Note: Menus, hours of operation, and activities are subject to change. Please check with the respective business before your visit.
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