Südburgenländischer Apfel

 
Record Number: 79
 
Disclosure Date 
As early as in 1339 a document mentions the growing of fruits in Kukmirn. 
 
 

Photo: BMLFUW/A...

Title
South Burgenland Apple
(Südburgenländischer Apfel)
 
 
 
 
 
Abstract or claim 
Traditional apple production in extensive orchards and intensive plantations in South Burgenland.
Specific microclimatic conditions with numerous hours of sunshine bestow extraordinary quality and flavour upon apples.
Apples from South Burgenland are marketed as fresh table fruits or are processed to apple juice or noble spirits.
 
Name of product, Product class
Apple, pome fruits, fruits
 
Name of region
South Burgenland, Burgenland, Austria
 
Field of search
Food and Agriculture
 
Name of information provider
Franz Hoanzl
 
Name of applicant for title
---
 
Holder of knowledge or associated resources
Fruit farmers in the region of Kukmirn.
 
Grantee(s), holder(s), assignee(s) or owner(s) of title, if any
---
 
Descriptors
- History:
Fruit growing has a long tradition in Kukmirn. As early as in 1339 a property document mentions “arboribus pireis, pomorum et cerasarum…” which means that pears, apples and cherries were cultivated.
 
In the past apple trees were planted at wide distances and orchards were corporately managed in South Burgenland.
In the 1950s and 1960s the areas of fruit growing were enlarged and the method of fruit production and fruit growing was modernised.
Seminars and training courses, excursions to other fruit growers at home and abroad and associations of fruit growers made Kukmirn an innovative model pioneer in apple production for the whole region.
 
Today the “apple village” Kukmirn has the largest apple production area of the Federal Province Burgenland and fruit growing has become a pillar in the agriculture of Burgenland.
 
Around Kukmirn fruits are cultivated on about 470 hectares, of which apples on 350 hectares. About 20-30 percent are produced under the organic scheme.
 
The annual harvest of South Burgenland Apples amounts to around 10,000 -15,000 tonnes.
 
Apples in history:
Apples appear in many religious traditions, often as a mystical or forbidden fruit. In Christian mythology it is the forbidden fruit, a symbol of sin and allurement (Adam and Eve).
 
For a long time the apple was a symbol of power. Kings and emperors held a golden sceptre and a gilded Globus Cruciger in their hands as a symbol of the globe.
In 1638 the Turkish army besieged Vienna and aimed at seizing the “golden apple” on top of St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
 
Medicinal uses:
As early as in ancient times the Greek physician Hippocrates (about 460 B.C. – ab. 370 B.C.) and the Roman writers Dioscorides (1^st  century A.D.) and Pliny the Elder (23-79 AD) described medicinal effects from apples. Sweet apples were considered to be difficult to digest, cooked apples to be purgative and ripe apples to be astringent. Folk medicine of the ancient world used blossoms, roots and apple seeds against various problems like gallstones, gastric troubles, hairlessness, eye pains, and varicose veins.
 
Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) mentions apples as medicative fruits. She recommended the leaves of apple trees against lens opacity, the buds against disorders of liver, spleen and gut and against head ache. The soil under an apple tree was thought to be effective against pains of the back, loin and belly.
 
- region:
South Burgenland (political districts Oberwart, Güssing and Jennersdorf) is a wide-stretched hilly region in the east of Austria.
It is bordered by Hungary in the east, by Slovenia in the south and by Styria in the west. The rivers Raab and Lafnitz flow through the region.
 
The market community Kukmirn is situated in the west of the political district Güssing. It is a part of the South Burgenland – East Styrian hilly and terrace country.
It encompasses the villages Eisenhüttel, Kukmirn, Limbach, and Neusiedl bei Güssing.
 
In the context of the Region of Delight Südburgenländischer Apfel the region includes Kukmirn and surroundings, the municipality Neuhaus and its neighbouring villages. 
 
The orchards and extensive orchards are located at an altitude between 250 - 300 m.
 
Soil and climate conditions:
In the region of Kukmirn medium-heavy to heavy clay soils are found, which provide sufficient moisture and ideal conditions for apple growing.
 
South Burgenland is characterized by illyric climate. Precipitation is high (720 – 950 mm annually), and there are numerous hours of sunshine (about 2000 annually) and balanced temperatures. The annual average temperature is about 10 °C.
The many hours of sunshine contribute to the specific flavour of the South Burgenland Apples.
 
- South Burgenland Apple:
Apples (Malus domestica) belong to the family Rosaceae, genus Malus.
 
Apple varieties:
Apple trees in extensive orchards and plantations of the Kukmirn region encompass numerous varieties like Jersymac, Summerred, Delbar Estivalle, Gala, Elstar, Arlet, Rubinette, Jonagold, Novajo, Jonagored, Golden Delicious, Mutsu, Gloster, Kronprinz Rudolf, Idared, Braeburn, Fuji, Granny Smith, and Pinova.
 
Method of production:
South Burgenland Apples are produced according to the requirements of Integrated Production (IP) taking into account the protection of soil and the minimal application of exclusively environmentally-friendly plant protection products.
Table fruits account for 55% of the production. 45% of the apples are produced in extensive orchards for purposes of further processing.
 
Planting of apple trees:
The young apple trees stem from own propagations or from tree nurseries in Styria or Lower Austria. 
 
Today trees are mainly cultivated as spindle trees at distances of 3.5 x 0.7 m. This means that about 3500 - 4000 of the 2.5 m tall trees are cultivated per hectare.
 
Fertilization:
Trees are fertilized with nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and lime in spring, if necessary.
 
Plant protection measures:
Plant protection measures are only applied after the defined threshold limits have been reached. Only pesticides permitted under the guidelines for Integrated Production (IP) are used. The application of pesticides is to be documented in the acreage index.
 
Irrigation:
Water for irrigation is from ponds especially built for this purpose. The ponds are fed with water from wells or rain.
Both crown irrigation (protection against frost during blossoming and drought) and drip irrigation (against drought) are applied.
 
Harvesting, storage and grading:
Ripe apples are harvested from end-July to end-October, depending on the variety. Apple producers pick the fruits manually and then gently put them into picking baskets so as to avoid pressure marks or lesions.
After pre-grading the apples are either stored at temperatures between 2 - 4 °C for two to four months or under controlled atmosphere for periods beyond that.
Apples under controlled atmosphere are stored under conditions of 2 % oxygen, 92 % humidity and 1 - 3 °C.
Optimal storage conditions enable the marketing of apples throughout the year.
 
Processing:
About 95 % of the apples from extensive orchards and 10 - 30 % of the table apples are processed to apple juice by subcontractors or distilled to spirits mainly by fruit growers themselves.
 
Nutritional aspects of apples:
Apples are rich in nutrients. An apple delivers a quarter of the daily vitamin C requirement and contains about 20 mineral substances like potassium, iron, phosphorus, and magnesium.
The pulp is rich in flavonoids, which have positive health effects (anti-inflammatory, bactericidal, cancer protective, regulation of blood sugar and blood pressure, stimulation of immune system).
The apple skin contains carotinoids which may stimulate the immune system, prevent cancer, and act as free radical scavengers. Apples contain pectin, which has a positive effect on digestion and the feeling of satiety.
 
Proof of origin:
South Burgenland Apples are to be traceable from fruit-grower to retail. Farmers record data on orchards, apple varieties, cultivation, harvesting etc.
Regional processors and packaging companies keep records on the supplier, variety, date of harvest etc.
 
Quality:
South Burgenland Apples conform to quality class extra or class I in retail.
 
Quality control:
Apple producers comply with the guidelines of the world-wide standard of GLOBALGAP.
 
Apples produced according to the Austrian Agri-environmental Programme are controlled twice per year by independent control bodies.
 
Apples produced under the organic scheme are controlled by accredited control bodies.
 
- Marketing:
South Burgenland Apples are available throughout the year. They are marketed by a regional company and by the producer association Obst Partner Steiermark GmbH (OPST-GmbH).
 
Apples are sold on farm, by food retailing and the regional gastronomy.
 
Connection with the geographical area and Traditional Knowledge
- Middle-heavy to heavy clay soils and the illyric climate provide ideal conditions for the cultivation
  of apples in the region.
- The unique taste and aroma are directly related to micro-climatic conditions and the numerous
  hours of sunshine.
- The production of South Burgenland Apples is the result of Traditional Knowledge and expertise
  of fruit growers (adaptation of production methods to the environmental conditions, selection
  of cultivars, harvesting, storage technology) and the experience of retail sellers in marketing and
  of processors (fruit juices, fruit spirits).
 
- Utilization:

Photo: BMLFUW/Rita Newman

South Burgenland Apples are either used as table fruits or processed to apple juice (mainly unfiltered) and spirits.
A speciality is the fruit spirit “Kukmirner Golden” which is exclusively distilled from the apple variety Golden Delicious. The distillate is then matured in oak barrels for half-a-year. This results in an excellent barrique flavour which fits together harmoniously with the apple aroma.
 
- Protection:
- 
 
Key Words
Food and Agriculture, traditional knowledge, Austria, region, South Burgenland, apple, pome fruits, Südburgenländischer Apfel South Burgenland Apples
 
Bibliography / References
- KIEFER I., KUNZE M.(2007). Die Kalorienfibel I, Kneipp Verlag GmbH, Leoben
- Apfel
  http://www.pflanzenliebe.de/innen/innen_essbares/innen_apfel.html
- Äpfel
  http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%84pfel
- Brennereihotel Lagler
  http://www.ein-stueck-vom-paradies.at/index.php?id=160
-  Der Apfelradweg: Kondition ist gefragt
  http://burgenland.orf.at/magazin/imland/erleben/stories/200227/
- Edelobst
  http://brockhaus-suche.de/suche/abstract.php?shortname=ernaehrung&artikel_id=648&verweis=1
- Illyrisches Klima
  http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illyrisches_Klima
- Kukmirn
  http://www.tiscover.at/at/guide/5,de,SCH1/objectId,RGN213075at,curr,EUR,season,at1,selectedEntry,home/home.html  - Kukmirn
  http://www.geomix.at/oesterreich/Burgenland/G%FCssing/Kukmirn.html
- Kukmirn
  http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kukmirn
- Kulturapfel
  http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kulturapfel
- Naturräumliche Gegebenheiten im Bezirk Oberwart
  http://members.a1.net/naturschutz-oberwart/
- Obstbau
  http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obstbau
- Obstbau Zinner
  http://www.obstbauzinner.at/
- Obstgarten Nikles
  http://www.nikles.at/_public/start.php
- Obsthof Zotter
  http://www.obsthof-zotter.at/about/index.htm
- Obsthof Zotter im Burgenland
  http://www.ulmer.de/Artikel.dll/obsthof_zotter_im_burgenland_NTM0MzIw.PDF
- Prädikat Genussregion für Äpfel des Südburgenlandes
  http://www.bauernzeitung.at/index.php?id=2500%2C21061%2C%2C%2CbnBmX3NldF9wb3NbaGl0c109MTMmeF9LRVlXT1JEX0FbMF09MTIw
- Südburgenländischer Apfel
  http://www.genuss-region.at/article/archive/19842
- Südburgenländische Weidegans
  http://www.genuss-region.at/article/archive/14460
- Willkommen
  http://www.apfelhof-flieder.at/
 
All internet references last accessed on 26 August 2009.
 
Language Code
German
 
Product of www.genuss-region.at
Yes
 
Regional contact
Chairman of Burgenländischer Obstbauverband
Mr Franz Hoanzl
7543 Kukmirn 69
Phone: 03328/32397
Mobile: 0664/1504831
E-Mail: post@kukmirn.bgld.gv.at 
www.kukmirn.at
 
Authors: Mag. Doris Reinthaler, Dr. Erhard Höbaus
 

11.11.2011, Lebensministerium III/4