Oberinntaler Erdäpfel

 
Record Number: 92
 
Disclosure Date
As early as in the 18^th  century the growing of potatoes was widely spread in the Tyrolean Upper Inn Valley.
 
 
   
 

Photo: BMLFUW/A...

Title
Oberinntaler Erdäpfel
(Upper Inn Valley potatoes)
 
 
 
 
 
Abstract or claim
Potato production with methods close to nature on small-scale farms in the region Oberinntal, Tyrol.
Production, storage and processing occur in the region.
Specific soil and climatic conditions, selected potato varieties and specific methods of production result in potatoes of premium quality. Potatoes grow slowly due to the climatic conditions and are characterized by a characteristic nutty taste. 
 
Name of product, Product class
Potato, vegetable
 
Name of region
Upper Inn Valley, Northern Tyrol, Tyrol, Austria
 
Field of search
Food and Agriculture
 
Name of information provider
Hannes Schöpf
Potato cellar Silz
 
Name of applicant for title
---
 
Holder of knowledge or associated resources
More than 100 small farms
 
Grantee(s), holder(s), assignee(s) or owner(s) of title, if any
---
 
Descriptors
- History:
The potato species evolved in the Andes and was probably first cultivated in Peru some 7,000 years ago. In 1536 the Conquistador Pizarro brought potatoes from South America to Spain from where potatoes were spread across Europe.
 
It is assumed that in 1620 monks cultivated potatoes in the garden of the monastery Seitenstetten (Mostviertel, Lower Austria) for the first time.
 
Empress Maria Theresia (1740 - 1780) promoted the cultivation of potatoes and commanded their cultivation at Pyrhabruck, a village in the Waldviertel region in Lower Austria.
 
The famine of 1772/73 boosted the cultivation of potatoes.
 
The growing importance of potatoes as food is demonstrated by the so-called Potato War (Kartoffelkrieg; War of the Bavarian Succession 1778 - 1779) where Prussian and Austrian troops digged up the enemy’s potatoes to deny food supplies to the enemy.
 
It can be assumed that the cultivation of potatoes in Tyrol was stimulated from Southern Germany.
 
In the first years of growing the potatoes were mainly used to feed hogs. Peasant women had limited know-how to prepare potatoes; they served potatoes half-boiled and spooned milk to them.
The use of potatoes for other dishes, for example pastries, incurred displeasure among neighbours and servants.
Potatoes got nicknames like “Natschenfutter” (“natschen” is for “pig” in Tyrolean dialect) or “Arrestantenzöbl”. Potato growers were vilified as “Erdäpfelpatscher”.
 
Around 1770 potatoes were already widely distributed in the Upper Inn Valley and quickly became staple food. In the wake of famines potatoes became important as they gave some yield even in years with poor cereal yields.
 
The beginning of potato growing also triggered crop rotation in the Upper Inn Valley (late 18^th  century).
 
In the Upper Inn Valley potatoes gained importance in the first quarter of the 19^th  century.
First statistical data on potato production stem from 1836. They show already that potato growing was more intensive in the Upper Inn Valley than in the Lower Inn Valley, although there was more arable land in the latter.
 
In 1839 J. J. Staffler noted in his description of the country that the area of potato production had increased by more than 50 percent in the 1830s. He mentioned that in some parts of the Tyrol, notably in the Upper Inn Valley, potatoes became the “true bread-crop and, everywhere, the most reliable means to protect against famine”.
 
In the middle of the 19^th  century the potato blight disease caused by Phytophthora infestans destroyed large parts of the potato production. In 1874 the Colorado beetle became the major pest in European potato production. However, these two calamities triggered the breeding of resistant varieties and led to improvements in plant protection and cultivation techniques.
 
From 1874 onwards the development of potato growing in Tyrol is documented in the annals of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. At that time potatoes were cultivated on about 3,100 hectares, thereof 2,040 hectares in the Upper Inn Valley (15 % of the arable land) and 1,060 hectares in the Lower Inn Valley (2.6 % of the arable land). This corresponds to exactly 5.8 % of the arable land in Northern Tyrol.
 
Until World War I (1914-1918) the potato production area in Northern Tyrol increased constantly. It decreased only after the war and boosted again later on.
 
During World War II (1939 - 1945) the cultivation of potatoes decreased significantly.
 
In 1968 the “Erdäpfelkeller Silz” (potatoe cellar at Silz) was established.
 
- Region:
Inntal (Inn Valley) crosses the Eastern Alps from southwest to northeast.
It derives its name from the river Inn which flows through the valley.
 
The Upper Inn Valley is a part of the Tyrolean Inn Valley ranging from col Finstermünz (Finstermünzpass) to the confluence of Inn and the river Melach, few kilometres west of Innsbruck.
 
The region is a mountainous area situated between the Lechtaler Alps in the north and the Samnaungruppe and the Ötztaler Alps in the south.
The Upper Inn Valley is a part of Tiroler Oberland and encompasses parts of the political districts Imst, Landeck and Innsbruck-Land.
 
The main production area of Oberinntaler Erdäpfel encompasses the municipalities Silz, Arzl im Pitztal, Haiming (district of Imst), and Oberhofen (district of Innsbruck-Land). It is situated at altitudes between 620 and 880 m.
 
In the context of Region of Delight the “Oberinntaler Erdäpfel” region covers about 120 hectares.
 
Soil and climatic conditions:
Soils are light and sandy/pebbly.
 
The Upper Inn Valley is characterized by inner-alpine continental dry climate and is one of the lowest-precipitation areas in the Tyrol.
Annual precipitation is below 700 mm.
 
There are significant temperature fluctuations between night and day.
110 - 120 days are frosty and only 40 - 56 days show summer conditions.
 
- Upper Inn Valley potatoes:
Due to specific climate conditions with high temperatures on days and low ones during nights and the specific soils in the region potato plants grow more slowly. In combination with selected potato varieties, specific cultivation methods, perfect ripeness at harvest, and specific storage conditions this yields potatoes of characteristic nuttily taste and high quality.
 
The term “Erdäpfel” is traditionally used in Austria for “Kartoffel” (potato).
 
Method of Production:
About 100 small farms produce Oberinntaler Erdäpfel, 5 % of them according to the organic scheme.
 
Seeds:
Potatoesare tuberous crops from the perennial crop Solanum tuberosum L., family Solanaceae.
 
Typical varieties cultivated in the region are Ditta, Marabel, Agria, Laura, Aktiva, and Prinzess.
Seed potatoes mainly stem from the Upper Inn Valley or from the Region of Delight “Osttiroler Kartoffel”, mainly from the municipalities Flaurling, Oberhofen and Stams.
Potatoes are cultivated according to the requirements of Qualität Tirol (Quality Tyrol) which comply with the cultivation guidelines for Integrated Production (IP).
 
Soils and fertilization:
Oberinntaler Erdäpfel are cultivated exclusively on fields listed in a farmer’s acreage index. This ensures traceability to the field.
 
Soils for potato cultivation have to be optimal in nutrient supply. Therefore, soil analyses have to be undertaken by an accredited institute on a 3 - 4 year basis.
 
A justified application of fertilizers is subject to the requirements of the Austrian Agri-environmental Programme (ÖPUL) apply. It has to be documented in the acreage index.
 
Crop rotation:
Crop rotation is necessary to prevent potato diseases or pests. Crop rotation encompasses potatoes, cereals (barley, wheat, rye) and silage maize.
 
Cultivation:
Average potato fields are about 1.2 ha on a farm.
The distance between furrows is about 70 cm.
Potatoes are laid in a distance of about 25 - 30 cm.
 
Oberinntaler Erdäpfel are laid in spring, predominantly during April.
 
Plant protection measures:
Plant protection measures against pests and diseases may be taken only after defined thresholds have been reached.
If plant protection measures are necessary, the requirements of “Quality Tyrol” (identical to the Austrian Agri-environmental Programme = ÖPUL) have to be fulfilled.
Only environmentally friendly pesticides which are listed for Integrated Production (IP) may be used.
The application is to be documented in the acreage index.
 
Irrigation:
Potatoes are irrigated only now and then by groundwater.
 
Harvesting, grading and storage:

Photo: BMLFUW/Rita Newman

Oberinntaler Erdäpfel are harvested, graded and stored exclusively in the region Oberinntal. Thus the mixing of potatoes originating from other regions is prevented and traceability is ensured.
 
When potato tubers are ripe and firm and when weather and soil conditions are favourable, the potato varieties are harvested separately using harvesters. High priority is attached to the gentle handling of the potato tuber.
 
Average yield is about 30 tonnes per hectares. The annual yield in the region is about 4,000 tonnes. 
 
Potatoes are graded mechanically and manually.
Potatoes are graded according to size, appearance and quality.
 
Up to 1,000 tonnes are stored in the potato cellar Silz under optimal conditions. Storage temperature is gradually reduced to 4 °C from September to end-November.
Storage conditions are darkness, aeration and a humidity of 80 %.
 
Moreover, up to 300 tonnes of potatoes can be stored in facilities of
Tiroler Saatbaugenossenschaft, up to 150 tonnes in a facility in the Pitz Valley, and the rest on farms. Traditional storage in stone cellars is marginal.
Potatoes are packed 2 - 3 days prior to delivery.
 
Proof of origin:
Oberinntaler Erdäpfel haveto be traceable along the food chain.
For this purpose packed potatoes in retail shops have to be labelled with the name of the producer, potato variety, cooking characteristics, and lot number (date of harvest).
 
- Quality:
In retail, Oberinntaler Erdäpfel have to fulfil the criteria of quality class I as provided for in the “Österreichischen Verordnung über Qualitätsklassen für Speisekartoffeln” (Austrian Ordinance about quality classes for table potatoes).
 
Labelling: “Qualität Tirol” (Quality Tyrol), “Bio vom Berg” (Organic from mountain farms, cooperative Bio alpin), AMA Seal of Quality.
 
Quality control:
The production of Oberinntaler Erdäpfel is subject to the provisions of Integrated Production of the Austrian Agri-environmental Programme, the requirements of the AMA Seal of Quality as well as the requirements of Agrarmarketing Tirol (AMA Tirol) and the organic farming guidelines. Organic production is controlled by BIKO Tirol.
 
- Marketing:
Oberinntaler Erdäpfel are marketed in units of 2 kg, 5 kg, 10 kg, and 25 kg mainly to the local gastronomy and vegetable retailers. Furthermore, direct marketing plays an important role in the region.
In addition, about 300 tonnes of seed potatoes are produced in the region.
 
Festivities in context with potatoes are the annual “Erdäpfel-Essen” (potato eating) in the beginning of July and the Silzer Erdäpfelfest (potato festival of Silz) in September as kick-off of the potato storage period.
 
Connection with the geographic area and Traditional Knowledge
- Specific light sandy/pebbly soils and inner-alpine climatic dry conditions
  provide for slow growing of premium potatoes.
- Specific production methods and specific geographical conditions allow
  for the production of potatoes with specific characteristics with respect
  to taste.
- The unique nutty and intensive flavour and taste of Oberinntaler
  Erdäpfel is in close relation to the low amount of precipitation, the high
  day temperatures and low night temperatures.
- The production of Oberinntaler Erdäpfel is the result of Traditional
  Knowledge passed on from generation to generation: the Traditional
  Knowledge and expertise of potato farmers (adaptation of potatoes
  to environmental constraints, cultivation and regional storage methods)
  and the expertise of wholesale buyers and retail sellers in marketing.
 
- Utilization:
Oberinntaler Erdäpfel are traditional integral parts of the Tyrolean cuisine.
 
- Protection:
- 
 
Key Words
Food and Agriculture, Traditional Knowledge, Austria, Tyrol, Northern Tyrol, region, Inn Valley, Upper Inn Valley, potato, potatoes, Oberinntaler Erdäpfel, Oberinntaler potato, Upper Inn Valley potato
 
Bibliography / References
- A.E.I.O.U.
  http://www.kartoffel-geschichte.de/Erste_Furche/In_den_Alpen/in_den_alpen.html
- Das Klima des Exkursionsraumes
  http://www.kfunigraz.ac.at/geowww/exkursion/alpenex/klima.htm
- Der Name der Knolle und eine Vorbemerkung
  http://www.kartoffel-geschichte.de/Vierte_Furche/Name_der_Knolle/name_der_knolle.html
- Die volkstümlichen Tiernamen in Tirol und Vorarlberg
  http://www.sagen.at/doku/tiernamen/h.html
- Erdäpfel Keller Silz
  http://erdaepfel.info/index.php/geschichte/1
- Inntal
  http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inntal
- Kartoffel – Ernte 2005Amt der Tiroler Landesregierung
  Abt. Landwirtschaftliches Schulwesen, Jagd und Fischerei
  FB. Landwirtschaftliches Versuchswesen, Boden- und Pflanzenschutz
  http://www.tirol.gv.at/fileadmin/www.tirol.gv.at/themen/laendlicher-raum/agrar/zahlen-daten-agrarberichte/downloads/kartoffel-ernte05.pdf
- Klimatographie von Österreich
  http://www.boku.ac.at/imp/education/Klima-b/STKAP4CO.DOC
- Oberinntal
  http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oberinntal
- Oberinntaler Erdäpfel
  http://www.amtirol.at/index.php?id=363&topId=7
- Oberinntaler Erdäpfel
  www.genuss-region.at
- Oberes Inntal
  http://www.bedandbreakfastaustria.at/at/guide/119494sy,de,OWBB/objectId,RGN942435at,_area,457914,curr,EUR,season,at2,selectedEntry,home/home.html - Reise 5414- Österreich / Oberinntal- Wanderungen am Dreiländereck
  http://www.wikinger-reisen.de/pdf/5414.pdf
- SCHLATTER M. Der sozioökonomische Strukturwandel der Landwirtschaft
  im westtiroler Realteilungsgebiet am Beispiel der Gemeinde Stanz bei Landeck
- TASCHEE S. J. Im Namen der Kartoffel. In: Genuss Spezialitäten.pur.
  Herbst 2008. S. 12 - 15.
- Webcams in der Region Ötztal Sölden Imst/Tirol
  http://www.webcam-tirol.mobile-soft.at/webcam-imst-oetztal.html
- Webcams in Ischgl - Serfaus - Nauders - St. Anton am
  Arlberg - Landeck und Umgebung
  http://www.webcam-tirol.mobile-soft.at/webcam-landeck.html
- Webcams in Innsbruck und Umgebung
  http://www.webcam-tirol.mobile-soft.at/webcam-innsbruck.html
  http://www.uibk.ac.at/geographie/igg/berichte/2001/pdf/schlatter.pdf
- Wopfner, H. (1997): Bergbauernbuch. Von Arbeit und Leben des
  Tiroler Bergbauern. Bd. 3: Wirtschaftliches Leben. (= Schlern-Schriften 298).
  Innsbruck.
 
All internet references last accessed on 17^th  of July 2009.
 
Language Code
German
 
Product of www.genuss-region.at
Yes
 
Regional contact
Erdäpfelkeller Silz
Hannes Schöpf
Josef-Marberger Straße 16
A-6424 Silz
Phone: 0664 1300702
Email: info@erdaepfel.info
 
Authors: Mag. Eva Sommer; Dr. Erhard Höbaus
 

11.11.2011, Lebensministerium III/4