Leithaberger Edelkirsche

 
Record Number: 78
 
Disclosure Date
The cultivation of cherries in vineyards and on agricultural crop land of the region “Leithaberg” can be traced back to the 18^th  century.
 

Photo: BM...

Title
Leithaberger Edelkirsche
(Leithaberg Sweet Cherry)
 
 
Abstract or claim
Traditional growing of sweet cherries (Prunus avium) in mixed cultivation in vineyards of the region “Leithaberg”, North Burgenland.
Leithaberg sweet cherries have been cultivated, processed and marketed in the defined geographical area for centuries.
Numerous regional and local cherry ecotypes have evolved due to soils rich in nutrients and the ideal climatic conditions which are strongly influenced by the large steppe lake “Neusiedler See” and the pannonian climate.
 
Name of product, Product class
Stone fruits, fresh fruits, fruits
 
Name of region
North Burgenland, Burgenland, Austria
 
Field of search
Food and Agriculture
 
Name of information provider
Ernst Engel
A-7082 Donnerskirchen
 
Name of applicant for title
---
 
Holder of knowledge or associated resources
Numerous cherry farmers in the municipalities Donnerskirchen, Purbach, Breitenbrunn, Winden, and Jois.
 
Grantee(s), holder(s), assignee(s) or owner(s) of title, if any
---
 
Descriptors
- History:
Fossil and prehistoric records of cherry stones demonstrate that already in late Neolithic settlements cherries were used as wild fruits in Central Europe. Cultivars, however, were for a long time known only in the area of the Black Sea (Asia Minor).
 
In Europe, the cultivation of sweet and sour cherries probably started in Ancient Greece.
 
Records by Theophrastus (around 371 – 287 B.C.) prove that cherry cultivars were already known in Greece in the 4^th  century B.C. At that time, only wild cherries were known in Rome. The Roman commander Lucullus (118 - 57 B.C.) brought cultivated cherries to Italy as a precious trophy from the city of Cerasunt (Minor Asia).
The scientific Latin name of the cherry tree (Prunus cerasus) is derived from the antique colonial city Cerasunt (today’s Giresun). For a long time cherries made up an important part of the nutrition of Roman legionnaires.
 
In medieval times Charlemagne (747- 814 A.D.), through his enactment "Capitulare de villis vel curtis imperii" of 802, promoted the cultivation of cherries all over Europe.
 
In the Leithaberg region the cultivation of cherries began in the 18^th  century, in vineyards and on arable land. 
 
The production of cherries of the region Leithaberg was mainly for markets in Vienna. This resulted in the selection of varieties suited for a long period of delivery. May cherries and cherries ripening in the first 2 weeks of June were thus favoured. Late sweet cherries were less attractive as from late June to July ripe cherries were already available from other parts of Austria.
 
Over centuries a large number of local sweet cherry varieties have evolved in the region Leithaberg. Most of them were random seedlings.
 
Cherry production in the region boomed during the Interwar and Postwar periods. About 10,000 to 15,000 cherry trees were then found in each municipality. It was only after World War II that the targeted crossing of valuable varieties started.
 
The importance of cherry production is reflected by the emblem of the municipality of Jois. Although Jois is a famous winegrowing municipality its emblem does not show grapes, but three Jois heart cherries.
 
Since 1999 the region has officially been called “Kirschblütenregion” (cherry blossom region).
The Region of Delight Austria “Leithaberger Edelkirsche” is located within the UNESCO World Heritage “Fertö - Neusiedler See Cultural Landscape”. 
 
In 2003 an ÖPUL project (project under the Austrian Agri-environmental Programme) aiming at the preservation of the valuable old high-stem fruit trees in the “Kirschblütenregion” was launched.
 
The LEADER programme “Nordburgenland plus” (2008-2013) includes activities like the planting of 1000 cherry trees in traditional mixed cultivation in the political districts of Eisenstadt, Neusiedl and Mattersburg and activities to promote the trademark Leithaberger Edelkirsche. This is to ensure re-plantation of cherry trees and to counteract the extinction of the Edelkirsche.
 
- Region:
The region Leithaberg is located along the foothills of the Leithagebirge (Leitha mountains) in North Burgenland, about 50 km southeast of Vienna. The region is situated between the southeast slopes of the Leithagebirge and the northwest banks of Lake Neusiedl. It extends from the municipalities Donnerskirchen to Purbach, Breitenbrunn and Winden to Jois.
 
The Leithaberg region is one of the oldest wine-growing regions of the world, which has shaped the landscape correspondingly.
 
Soil conditions and climatic:
The soils of the region are particularly rich in nutrients. Weathered primary rocks with sandy lime, schist and shell limestone have contributed to the typical mineralic taste of wines and fruits.
 
The climate of the region is pannonic and strongly influenced by the steppe lake Lake Neusiedl. Its large body of water stores heat, mitigates temperature fluctuations in summer, protects against early frosts in autumn, and provides humidity.
Summers are hot and dry, winters short and poor in snow. Autumn is sunny with mild temperatures and lasts till late-October, sometimes till November.
Spring begins earlier than in other regions of Austria and is characterized by mild temperatures.
 
The Leitha mountains protect the region a little against the prevailing west winds which provide for rain. The annual precipitation is low (below 600 mm per year). The average annual temperature is above 9.5°C, which means that the region is the warmest in Austria.
 
The long vegetation period (up to 250 days) and the hot and dry summer months favour the growing of grapes, fruits and vegetables and are also important for tourism.
 
- Leithaberger Sweet Cherry:
Sweet cherries belong to the family Rosaceae, genus Prunus, and are fleshy fruits containing a single stony seed.
 
The scientific term for sweet cherries is Prunus avium (in German “Vogelkirsche” = bird cherry)and is derived from birds’ fondness for cherries (Latin: avis).
 
Leithaberger Edelkirschen include more than 15, very diverse varieties of sweet cherries.
 
Cherry trees:
Cherry trees of Leithaberg Sweet Cherries have high stems reaching up to 30 m. Stems are up to one meter in diameter, crowns are broad with spreading branches. The trees require regular cutting.
 
About 3 - 5 cherry trees per hectare are found in the region. Protective measures are taken against pests and there is no irrigation of trees.
 
Trees of Leithaberger Sweet Cherries are traditionally cultivated within vineyards. Nowadays they are sometimes also used on fallow land.
Trees of sour cherries, almonds, vineyard peaches and plums are planted to supplement cherry trees.
 
Flowering:
Cherry trees start flowering in the defined area between end-March and early-April with a peak in mid-April, depending on the weather. The blossoms are almost exclusively pollinated by insects, mainly by honey-bees.
 
Fruits:
The main cherry variety is Joiser Herzkirsche (Jois heart cheery). Another prominent variety is Donnerskirchner Herzkirsche (Donnerskirchen heart cherry). Further varieties are still to be determined scientifically. There are also varieties which have only traditional local names given to them by farmers, for example the “diplomat cherry”.
Leithaberg cherries have rich, sweet tastes and unique, intense flavours.
 
Harvest:
Ripe cherries are harvested manually between end-May and mid-June.
 
Nutritional aspects:
Cherries are rich in folic acid, B vitamins, vitamin C, potassium, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus. The cherries contain anthocyanins which may have anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and other positive effects on health.
Cherries contain dietary fibres, fruit acids and fructose which have positive effects on digestion. The consumption of cherries is reported to alleviate arthritic pain and gout. Cherries are regarded as diuretic.
 
Processing:
Leithaberger Edelkirschen are processed in agricultural holdings of the region. The yield is partly converted into durable products to allow the consumption of Edelkirschen the whole year round. The region’s flagship product is pure (100 %) cherry juice.
 
- Marketing:
The cherries are marketed both directly (farm-gate sale, street-sale) and via gastronomy and trade.
 
Connection with the geographical area and Traditional Knowledge
- Soils particularly rich in nutrients and the pannonic climate which is influenced by Lake Neusiedl
  provide ideal conditions for the cultivation of different sweet cherry varieties.
- Leithaberger Edelkirsche includes different cherry varieties and ecotypes which have evolved in
  the region and have optimally adapted to the local conditions over centuries.
- Due to the cultivation method and the specific geographic situation cherries with specific
  characteristics in terms of taste can be produced.
- The unique taste and aroma of the Leithaberger Edelkirsche are directly linked to the high number
  of sun hours and to the humid, mild climate which is strongly influenced by Lake Neusiedl.
- The production of Leithaberg Edelkirsche is the result of the Traditional Knowledge passed down to
  those active in the sector: the Traditional Knowledge and expertise of fruit growers (adaptation of
  the cultivation method to the environmental conditions, selection of rootstocks, varieties and local
  cultivars, genetic improvement, know-how in the fields of tree tending and optimised harvesting) and
  the experience of wholesale buyers and retail sellers in marketing.
 
- Utilization:
Cherries of the Leithaberg regionare converted into various products and dishes including Kirschschnaps and Kirschenbrand (cherry spirit), cherry jam, cherry sorbet, cherry chutney, cherry strudel, cherry muffins, cherry cocktail, cherry cakes, cherry tarts, cherry pastry, cherry soup, cherry soufflé, cherry ragout, cherry pancake, cherry dumplings, cherry sauce, cherry jelly, cherry brandy sausages (made by a local butchery in Purbach) etc.
Another product is “Leithaberger Edelkirsche in edler Schokolade” (Leithaberg Sweet Cherries in high-quality chocolate).
 
The raw material is mainly processed on agricultural holdings. A commercial cherry processing enterprise in the region is being planned.
 
Wood obtained from cherry trees is well suited for the production of furniture and musical instruments as well as, due to its hardness, for the production of parquet floors.
 
- Protection:
-
 
Key Words
Food and Agriculture, Traditional Knowledge, Austria, region, Burgenland, North Burgenland, Leithaberge, Leitha hills, cherries, sweet cherries, Prunus avium, Edelkirschen, Leithaberger Edelkirschen
 
Bibliography / References
- Bayerische Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft: Streuobst – Pflegen, erhalten, bewirtschaften
  www.lfl.bayern.de/publikationen/daten/merkblaetter_url_1_53.pdf
- Cherries - Prunus avium, Prunus cerasus
  http://www.uga.edu/fruit/cherry.html
- Die Kirsche
  http://www.landwirtschaft-mlr.baden-wuerttemberg.de/servlet/PB/menu/1196814_l1/index.html
- Gemeinde Jois
  http://www.jois.info/
- Genussregion für die Edelkirsche
  http://burgenland.orf.at/stories/187176/
- Kirschbaum -KB
  http://www.schreiner-seiten.de/holzarten/index.htm?/holzarten/kirschbaum.php
- Kirschblütenregion
  http://www.neusiedlersee-leithagebirge.at/index.mv?goto+10-50-00-00
- Kirsche (Pflanze)
  http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirsche_(Pflanze)
- Kirschen
  http://www.obstbau.org/content/service/wissenswertes/buw_kirschen.php
- Kirschen: Süß, saftig und wertvoll
  http://burgenland.orf.at/magazin/imland/geniessen/stories/115350/
- Leitha
  http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leitha
- Leithaberg
  http://www.leithaberg.at/de/index.jsp
- Leithaberger Edelkirsche
  www.genuss-region.at
- Leithagebirge
  http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leithagebirge
- Lokale Aktionsgruppe „Nordburgenland plus“
  http://www.rmb.co.at/de/aktuelles/335
- Lucullus, die Türken und die Mannigfaltigkeit – zur Sortenentwicklung bei Kirschen
  http://www.agrar.uni-kassel.de/ink/images/gwhs/Kirschen/Mannigfaltigkeit.pdf
- Mehr Lebensqualität unter Kirschbäumen
  http://www.neusiedlersee-leithagebirge.at/seite.mv?10-00-00-00
- Prunus avium - Die Vogelkirsche
  http://www.uni-goettingen.de/de/46474.html
- Region Leithaberg
  http://www.leithaberg.at
- Region Leithaberg
  http://www.leithaberg.at/de/terroir/klima.jsp
  http://www.leithaberg.at/de/terroir/boeden.jsp
- Region Neusiedlersee Leithagebirge- Donnerskirchen
  http://www.donnerskirchen.at/seite.mv?20-13-00-00
- Regional association “Regionalverband Neusiedler See – Leithagebirge“. Application for approval
  for the Region of Delight Austria (Genuss Region Österreich) with Agrarmarkt Austria, of
  27 December 2006
- Steinobst: Kirschen
  http://www.landwirtschaft-mlr.baden-wuerttemberg.de/servlet/PB/menu/1196814_l1/index.html
- Süßkirsche
  http://www.biozac.de/biozac/capvil/Cvavium.htm
 
All internet references last accessed on 22 September 2009.
  
Language Code
German
 
Product of www.genuss-region.at
Yes
 
Regional contact
Ernst Engel
Hauptstraße 57
A-7082 Donnerskirchen
Phone: +43(2683)8636
Fax: +43(2683)86364
Email: office@leisserhof.at
 
Regionalverband Neusiedler See- Leithagebirge
Hauptgasse 38
7083 Purbach
Phone: +43 2683/5920
Email: info@purbach.at
 
Authors: Mag. Eva Sommer, Dr. Erhard Höbaus
 

03.08.2010, Lebensministerium III/4