Photo: BMLFUW/Rita Newman
Oberländer Apfel
Record Number: 84
Disclosure Date
The tradition of fruit growing in the Upper Inn Valley can be traced back to the 16th century.
Photo: BM...
Oberländer Apfel
(Oberländer Apple)
Abstract or claim
Traditional apple production in orchards of the region Tiroler Oberland.
Apples are grown in inner-Alpine regions at altitudes above 610 m. Specific climatic conditions and strong fluctuation in temperature between day and night result in apples of excellent and unique taste.
Apples from Tiroler Oberland are marketed as fresh table fruits or are processed to unfiltered apple juice, spirits, ciders or dried fruit.
Name of product, Product class
Apple, pome fruit, fruit
Name of region
Tiroler Oberland, Tyrol, Austria
Field of search
Food and Agriculture
Name of information provider
Hubert Wammes
Obstlager Haiming
Name of applicant for title
---
Holder of knowledge or associated resources
40 fruit farmers and the producer association Oberinntalobst GmbH in the region Tiroler Oberland
Grantee(s), holder(s), assignee(s) or owner(s) of title, if any
---
Descriptors
- History:
Fruit growing in villages of the Upper Inn Valley can be traced back to the 16th century. Sophisticated irrigation systems were built which provide optimal fruit growing conditions even now.
In 1857 orchards (“Bangert”) were above all found in areas where the use as pastures was unprofitable. Orchards were mainly found around farm houses, on the edge of terraces, steep slopes and pastures used for livestock keeping. Among the cultivated fruits were apples, pears, plums, and Spenling (plum variety). In 1857 fruit growing accounted for less that 4 %, thus still being relatively under-represented.
In 1868 thousands of “Metzen” (old Austrian measure of capacity corresponding to 61,487 litres) of fresh and dried fruit were sold to Engadin (Switzerland), Bavaria, and Swabia (Germany) from today’s Tyrolian municipalities Telfs, Silz, Imst, and Landeck. In addition, large amounts of fruits were distilled.
From 1875 onwards the political district Landeck became a centre of fruit growing. The efforts of the pomologist Josef Falch and his son Anton Falch led to the first professional tree nursery in the municipality Grins.
In 1897 the first association for fruit and fruit processing was founded at Landeck. The establishment of schools for agriculture in the municipalities Rotholz and Imst gave a strong impulse to fruit production.
In 1911 the “Verband der Obstbauvereine für Nordtirol” (union of fruit growing associations for North Tyrol) encompassed 108 fruit growing associations.
At present the total fruit growing area in the Tiroler Oberland covers about 75 hectares, of which 46 hectares account for apple orchards (7.5 hectares under the organic scheme).
The annual apple yield in the region is about 1000 tons, about 100 tons thereof from organic apples.
An old tradition in the Tiroler Oberland refers to the third Sunday in October. After parish fair people went “ichara”, which means that people were allowed to shake down and take home all fruits still on trees.
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. Stephan’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 (1st century A.D.) and Pliny the Elder (23 - 79 A.D.) 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:
Photo: BMLFUW/Rita Newman
The region borders the Lechtal Alps in the north, the Lower Inn Valley in the east, Switzerland and South Tyrol (Italy) in the south, and the mountain range Verwallgruppe in the west.
In the context of “Regions of Delight” the region Oberländer Apfel encompasses the municipalities Kematen, Inzing, Hatting, Flauring, Oberhofen, Stams, Silz, Haiming, Roppen, Imst, Prutz, Grins, and Stanz. Haiming is with around 60,000 apple trees the centre of production of fruit growing in the Oberland.
Fruit growing is practised at altitudes between 610 and 864 m.
Soil and climate conditions:
The soils of the region are light to sandy/pebbly.
The region around Haiming is characterized by inner-Alpine climate. The average annual temperature is 7.4 °C, the average precipitation is 717 mm. Summers are cool, winters are mild.
In autumn pronounced differences in temperature occur between day and night, which contribute to the specific taste and intense colouration of apples.
- Oberländer Apfel:
Photo: BMLFUW/Rita Newman
Apple varieties:
In intensive orchards of the region Oberländer Apfel a range of apple varieties like Elstar, Arlet, Jonagold, Golden Delicious, Idared, Boskoop, Topaz, Summerred, and Breaburn are grown; Gala and Jazz are cultivated both conventionally and organically.
Method of production:
Oberländer Äpfel are produced in line with the requirements of Integrated Production (IP) taking into account the protection of soil and a minimal application of exclusively environmentally-friendly plant protection products.
Planting of fruit trees and pruning:
Young apple trees stem from tree nurseries in Styria.
Trees are pruned in winter and summer.
Given ideal weather conditions, trees blossom from mid-April to mid-May.
Photo: BMLFUW/Rita Newman
Soil fertilization:
Apple trees are biannually fertilized with manure, compost and mineral fertilizers. Manure and compost come either from the farmer’s own holding or are bought from farmers in the region.
The application of fertilizers has to be documented in the acreage index.
Plant protection measures:
Plant protection measures are taken only if the economic thresholds have been reached. Only pesticides which are permitted under the guidelines of Integrated Production (IP) are used. The application of pesticides has to be documented in the acreage index.
Irrigation:
Apple trees are irrigated using water from rivers, wells, or drinking water. Trees are supplied with water through drip irrigation and flooding. Water is sprayed into the crowns to protect trees and blossoms against frost.
In the municipality Haiming water is taken from the river Ötztaler Ache and artificially channelled to Haiming where it is further distributed. In addition, well water from an irrigation cooperative north of the river Inn is used.
Harvesting, storage and grading:
Ripe apples are harvested in autumn from mid-August till late October, depending on the variety. Apples are picked manually and then gently put into picking baskets in order to avoid pressure marks or lesions.
After harvesting, some of the apple varieties are stored under controlled atmosphere (1 - 3 % oxygen, 90 - 95 % humidity, 1 - 3 °C) from September to March/April. Optimal storage conditions enable the marketing of apples throughout the year.
After storage apples are graded and packed by the apple producer associationOberinntalobst GmbH.
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 positive effect on digestion and the feeling of satiety.
Proof of origin:
Oberländer apples are traceable from the fruit-grower to retail trade. Farmers record data on orchards, apple varieties, production methods, harvesting etc.
Depending on the trade chain the packed apples are labelled with the batch number of the agricultural the producer in retail trade.
Quality:
Oberländer Apples comply with quality class I in food retail trade.
Quality control:
Apple producers take into account the guidelines of the world-wide standard of Global GAP.
Apples produced according to the Austria 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:
Oberländer Apfel is marketed under the seal of quality “Qualität Tirol”, held by Agrarmarketing Tirol. The quality label stands for sustainable agriculture on small-scale farms and high-quality products characterized by excellent taste and exquisite aroma. Additionally, the label ensures that the product originates from Tyrol and is processed in Tyrol.
The bigger part of Oberländer Apfel is cooperatively marketed by Erzeugerorganisation Oberinntalobst GmbH. Apples are marketed to Tyrolean retail shops and, in a small amount, also directly on the farm. Moreover, they are sold to the gastronomy and offered at the harvest market in Haiming.
Connection with the geographical area and Traditional Knowledge
- Light and sandy/pebbly soils, the inner-Alpine climate and sophisticated
irrigation systems provide ideal conditions for apple cultivation in the region.
- The unique taste and aroma of Oberländer Äpfel are directly linked to the
climate, especially to the differences in temperature between day and night
in autumn.
- The production of Oberländer apples is the result of Traditional Knowledge
and expertise of fruit growers (adaptation of the cultivation to the environmental
conditions, selection of cultivars, harvesting, storage technology) and the
expertise of retail sellers in marketing and processors.
- Utilization:
Photo: BMLFUW/Rita Newman
- Protection:
-
Key Words
Food and Agriculture, Traditional Knowledge, Austria, Tyrol, region, Tiroler Oberland, pome fruits, apple, Malus domestica, Oberländer Apfel, Oberländer Apples
Bibliography / References
- Apfel
http://www.pflanzenliebe.de/innen/innen_essbares/innen_apfel.html
- Äpfel
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%84pfel
- Äpfel ausdünnen
http://www.bakker.ch/G_9486/%C3%84pfel-ausd%C3%BCnnen.htm
- Das Klima des Exkursionsraumes
http://www.kfunigraz.ac.at/geowww/exkursion/alpenex/klima.htm
-Dörrzwetschken und Powidl
http://www.helmutreiner.at/pdf/zwetschke_powidl_oebaez21Mai05.pdf
- Gsund durch den Herbst. Tiroler Äpfel - Kerngesund aus Bauernhand
http://213.133.100.109/amt/meldungen-asset/ernaehrungsfahrplan_herbst_endversion_06.09.06.pdf - Herzlich willkommen im Tiroler Oberland!
http://www.tiroler-oberland-kaunertal.at/
- KIEFER I., KUNZE M.(2007). Die Kalorienfibel I, Kneipp Verlag GmbH, Leoben
- Klimadaten von Österreich 1971 – 2000, Haiming
http://www.zamg.ac.at/fix/klima/oe71-00/klima2000/klimadaten_oesterreich_1971_frame1.htm
- Klimatographie von Österreich
http://www.boku.ac.at/imp/education/Klima-b/STKAP4CO.DOC
- Kulturapfel
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kulturapfel
- MAIER-BRUCK F. Tirol: Vorratswirtschaft. In: Vom Essen auf dem Lande,
2. Auflage, Verlag Kremayr & Scheriau, Wien, 1995, 512
- Nauders am Reschenpass
http://www.tirol.at/at/guide/146619sy,de,SCH1/objectId,RGN603at,_area,771604,_lang,de,curr,EUR,season,at2,selectedEntry,home/home.html - NUTS-3 Region Tiroler Oberland
http://tirolatlas.uibk.ac.at/places/show.py/index?lang=de;id=174
- Oberländer Äpfel
http://www.amtirol.at/index.php?id=306&topId=7
- Oberländer Äpfel
http://www.genuss-region.at/article/archive/13488
- Oberinntal
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oberinntal
- Obstbau
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obstbau
- Qualität Tirol
http://www.amtirol.at/index.php?id=106&topId=5
- TASCHČE, S.J. Vom Säen, Ernten & Feiern. In:
GENUSS.spezialitäten.pur, Herbst 2008, S. 21
www.spezialitaetenpur.at
- Tiroler Oberland
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiroler_Oberland
- SCHLATTER M: Der sozioökonomische Strukturwandel der
Landwirtschaft im westtiroler Realteilungsgebiet am Beispiel der
Gemeinde Stanz in Landeck, Diplomarbeit, 2002
http://www.uibk.ac.at/geographie/igg/berichte/2001/pdf/schlatter.pdf
All internet references last accessed on 25 August 2009.
Language Code
German
Product of www.genuss-region.at
Yes
Regional contact
Obstlager Haiming
Hubert Wammes
Ötztalerstrasse 37
A-6425 Haiming
Phone: 0664 340 88 02
E-mail: obstbau.wammes@utanet.at
Authors: Mag. Doris Reinthaler, Mag. Eva Sommer, Dr. Erhard Höbaus
13.10.2011, Lebensministerium III/4