Stanzer Zwetschke

 
Record Number: 54
 
Disclosure Date
Legend has it that Saint Petrus Canisius brought plum scions to Stanz, Tyrol, for the first time in the 16^th  century.
 

Photo: BM...

Title
Stanzer Zwetschke
(Stanzer plum)
 
 
Abstract or claim
Tradition of cultivating domestic plums (Prunus domestica subsp. domestica) in the region of Landeck (North Tyrol) at an altitude of about 1000 metres. “Stanzer Zwetschke” encompasses plum cultivars which are well adapted to the climatic and soil conditions of an inner-alpine area. The Stanzer plums have juicy flesh with rich, sugary flavour and characteristic intensive aroma. Traditionally, they are either sold as dessert fruit plums or distilled to schnaps or processed in traditional cuisine.
 
Name of product, Product class
Plum, fruits
 
Name of region
Stanz, district of Landeck, North Tyrol, Austria
 
Field of search
Food and Agriculture
 
Name of information provider
Ing. Ulrich Zeni
Expert for berry fruits and fruit processing
Chamber of Agriculture, Tyrol
 
Name of applicant for title
Municipality Stanz
 
Holder of knowledge or associated resources
Plum growers in the municipalities Stanz, Grins and Pians
 
Grantee(s), holder(s),
assignee(s) or owner(s) of title, if any
---
 
Descriptors
- History:
Legend has it that Saint Petrus Canisius (1521-1597) was the first who brought plum scions to Stanz, Tyrol.
 
In 1857, fruit trees covered 4.7 hectares of the municipality area of Stanz. In addition to native plum trees (Prunus domestica subsp. domestica) and Spenling trees (Prunus domestica subsp. pomariorum), apple trees and pear trees were cultivated.
 
After World War I, fruit growing was intensified and during the Inter-War Years efforts were taken to start a business with Stanzer Zwetschke on markets in Munich. At that time, quality standards were still rather low, however.
 
Until 1954, only plum trees stemming from this specific region were cultivated in the region. New plum trees were generated from germinating seeds or by layering of root cuttings. A result of this propagation method was the excellent adaptation of the plum cultivars to the specific soil and climate conditions at an altitude of about 1000 metres. Thus, the plums achieved a good reputation as “Stanzer Hauszwetschken” (Stanzer domestic plum).
 
In winter 1954/1955 late frosts destroyed 90% of the fruit trees. This triggered the uprooting of old orchards and the creation of intensive orchards for plum production. This was accompanied by additional introducing of other plum varieties (Wangenheimer Frühzwetschke, Italienische Zuckerzwetschke). 
 
At present about 20,000 plum trees are cultivated in the region of the “Stanzer Zwetschke“, which yield about 25 kg plums per tree. The average annual harvest is thus about 500 tons of plums.
 
Plum production provides additional income to farmers and contributes to sustainable agriculture in the region. In spring the stunning flowerage attracts numerous tourists to come and see the region.
 
- Region:
Stanz, Grins and Pians are municipalities in the district of Landeck, in the west of North Tyrol, the so-called Tiroler Oberland.
The municipality Stanz is located on a sun-exposed terrace at the foot of the Lechtaler Alpen at an altitude of about 1000 m.
Grins and Pians are municipalities near Stanz.
 
Climate and soil conditions:
The climate is dry and typical of inner-alpine regions. It is characterized by numerous hours of sunshine, enormous differences in temperature between day and night and the occurrence of foehn winds. Soils are meagre and shallow.
The climate provides favourable conditions for fruit growing and is directly responsible for the unique intense aroma of the Stanzer Zwetschke.
 
- Stanzer Zwetschke (Plum):
Description of cultivars:
Plums (Prunus domestica subsp. domestica) are the fruits of stone fruit trees of the family Rosaceae. They are oval-shaped, smooth-skinned, dark-blue fruits with sweet flesh and a flattish, pointed stone. The stones separate easily from the flesh.
 
The Stanzer Zwetschke, often also termed “Stanzer Hauszwetschke”, is not a separate cultivar but encompasses local cultivars of the group Hauszwetschke (domestic plums), Wangenheimer Frühzwetschke and Italienische Zuckerzwetschke.
Over centuries, different local types developed as the result of on-site propagation.
Stanzer Zwetschke is undemanding and very tolerant to soil and climate conditions.
 
Plum trees:
The trees of Stanzer Zwetschke are vigorous and erect-growing. The crown is oval-shaped and there is a tendency for balding of the lower and inner parts of branches. However, trees can also be trained to form round crowns or spindles.
 
Blossoms and fruits:
Stanzer Zwetschken trees are late flowering and therefore little at risk as to frost damage. This ensures constant rich yields.
However, wet and chill weather during blossoming can trigger infection with Taphrina pruni which results in bladder or pocket plums.
 
The trees bear medium-late to late ripening plums. Fruit ripening is rather uniform. The harvesting period in autumn extends over a few weeks (September to October). Plums are picked from the trees by hand.
 
The plums are durable and well suited for transport. However, in the case of dry, warm weather (foehn) during harvest, the fruits tend to shrivel in the area of the stalk.
 
The rather small-sized plums are about 32 mm in diameter, weigh about 20 grams and have a remarkably high sugar content. The flesh of the Stanzer Zwetschke is juicy, with a rich sugary flavour and a unique intensive aroma.
 
- Utilization:
Traditional recipes for the processing of plums have been passed down from generation to generation.
Stanzer Zwetschken are processed to jams, smooth liqueurs and typical spirit drinks, or they are used in traditional cuisine. Popular traditional products are e.g. Zwetschkenstrudel (plum strudel), Zwetschkenknödel (plum dumplings), Zwetschkenfleck (moist plum cakes) and Zwetschkenröster (stewed plums).
 
About 180 distilleries in Stanz and neighbouring municipalities are famous for distilling spirits (“Schnaps”) from regional fruits.
Stanzer Zwetschke is the basis for the famous plum schnaps. It is characterized by intensive aroma, a subtle flavour of cinnamon and, moreover, a subtle bitter almond flavour which comes from the stones of the fruits.
A further regional speciality is “Tiroler Edle”, a chocolate filled with plum brandy distilled from Stanzer Zwetschke. The milk for the production of this chocolate comes from Tyrol Grey Cattle.
 
Distinct quality linked to origin and Traditional Knowledge:
- Specific meagre and shallow soils and dry weather conditions in an inner-alpine area enable fruit
  growing at an altitude of about 1000 m.
- Strong link to the area: On farms, trees of Stanzer Zwetschke were for centuries propagated only
  by germination from seeds and via root cuttings.
- This method of production has resulted in an excellent adaptation of the trees to the specific
  geographic situation.
- Stanzer Zwetschke encompasses various local types which evolved over centuries and two
  non-local cultivars (for some decades).
- Due to the cultivation method and the specific geographic situation plums can be produced with
  specific characteristics in terms of taste.
- The unique taste and aroma of the Stanzer Zwetschke are directly linked to the numerous
  sunshine hours and foehn wind situations.
- The production of Stanzer Zwetschken is the result of Traditional Knowledge passed down to
  those active in the sector: the Traditional Knowledge and expertise of fruit growers (adaptation of
  the cultivation to the environmental conditions, selection of local cultivars, propagation by means of
  seeds and root cuttings, genetic improvement, plum production in mountain areas, harvesting
  know-how) and the expertise of wholesale buyers and retail sellers in marketing.
 
- Marketing:
-
 
- Protection:
“Stanzer Zwetschken” is a protected EU trademark (Trademark number 003982221).
 
Key Words
Food and Agriculture, Traditional Knowledge, Austria, Tyrol, region, Stanz, Grins, Pians, Landeck, Zwetschke, plum, stone fruit, P. domestica subsp. domestica, Hauszwetschke, Wangenheimer Frühzwetschke, Italienische Zuckerzwetschke, Stanzer Zwetschke, Stanzer Hauszwetschke, Stanzer plum
 
Bibliography / References
- Thurner, H. (2001): Zwetschkensorten für den Anbau in Tirol. - In:  
  Grünes Tirol, No 5, Innsbruck, p.110.
- Schöffthaler, H. (1980): Stanz: das „blaue Gold“ ist abgeerntet. - In:
  Blickpunkt Landeck, No 45, p. 6.
- Sievers, G.W. Stanzer Schnaps! In: Genussland Österreich. Leopold
  Stocker Verlag, Graz 2007, p. 40.
- CTM-ONLINE- Ausführliche Markeninformation: Stanzer Zwetschken
   http://oami.europa.eu/de/default.htm
- Stanzer Zwetschke
   http://www.amtirol.at/index.php?id=272&topId=7
- Stanz bei Landeck
   http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanz_bei_Landeck
- „So eine Nachfrage hat es noch nie gegeben“
   http://oberland-online.at/rundschau/news/inhalt.php?id=1615&jahr=2006 
- Stanzer Zwetschke
   www.genuss-region.at 
- Der sozioökonomische Strukturwandel der Landwirtschaft im westtiroler Realteilungsgebiet
  http://www.uibk.ac.at/geographie/igg/berichte/2001/pdf/schlatter.pdf
- Stanz
  http://www.regiol.at/de/region/gemeinden/stanz/index.html
- Herbst bietet Vielfalt
  http://www.amtirol.at/index.php?id=7&archivId=4&detail=124
- „Zwetschgenschnaps“- Kräftiges Aroma mit Zimt
   http://www.tirol.at/xxl/de/771569/_id/818757/_eventId/818758/index.html
- Zwetschge
   http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zwetschke 
- Brennereidorf Stanz
   http://www.brennereidorf.at/
- Landeck (Tirol) 
   http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landeck_(Tirol)
- Landeck
   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landeck
- Stanz bei Landeck (Land Tirol)
   http://tirolatlas.uibk.ac.at/places/show.py/index?id=170626;lang=de
- Gemeinde Stanz bei Landeck 
  http://www.stanz.tirol.gv.at/system/web/zusatzseite.aspx?menuonr=218542099 &detailonr=165272902
- Stanz bei Landeck
   http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanz_bei_Landeck
- Trioldorf Grins
   http://freenet-homepage.de/tourismusverband.grins/xx.htm
- Pians
   http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pians
- Grins
   http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grins
- Bezirk Landeck Tirol
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Karte_Bezirk_Landeck.png 

All internet references last accessed on 5 May 2008.
 
Language Code
Deutsch
 
Product of www.genuss-region.at
Yes
 
Regional contact
Municipality Grins, Phone 05442-62055, 6591 Grins No 57
Municipality Pians, Phone 05442-62010, 6551 Pians No 47
Municipality Stanz, Phone 05442-64237, 6500 Stanz bei Landeck No 11
 
Authors: Mag. Eva Sommer, Dr. Erhard Höbaus
 

19.02.2010, Lebensministerium III/4