Wiesener Ananas Erdbeere

 
Record Number: 136
 
Disclosure Date
The garden strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) arrived from Germany in the municipality of Wiesen thanks to Hans Wolf and Hans Eckhardt. It was planted there for the first time in 1870.  
 

Photo: BMLFUW/A...

Title
Wiesener Ananas Erdbeere
(Wiesen Garden Strawberry)  
 
 
 
 
 
Abstract or claim
Traditional cultivation of different varieties of garden strawberries (Fragaria ananassa) in the Wiesen region, Burgenland.
The especially nutrient-rich soils and optimal climatic conditions result in the development of strawberries with an aromatic flavour and a distinct, fine scent.
Thanks to their quality, Wiesener Ananas Erdbeerestrawberrieshave acquired a particularly good reputation at the markets in Vienna, the capital of Austria.  
 
Name of product, Product class
Strawberry, fresh fruit, fruit  
 
Name of region
Wiesen, Burgenland, Austria  
 
Field of search
Food and agriculture
 
Name of information provider
Franz Nussbaumer
Chairman of Wiesener Ananas ErdbeereRegion of Delight  
 
Name of applicant for title
--- 
 
Holder of knowledge or associated resources
About 45 producers in the region Wiesen  
 
Grantee(s), holder(s), assignee(s) or owner(s) of title, if any
---  
 
Descriptors
- History:
Wild strawberries have been a part of the human diet since the Stone Age.
Strawberries were mentioned as a wild fruit in the writings of the Romans Virgil, Ovid and Pliny.
 
For a long time, there was no need to cultivate strawberries since they were available in sufficient amounts in nature and could be gathered. The “Capitulare de Villis” (ninth century AD), the enactment of Charlemagne that presents a list of plants to be cultivated, contains no mention of strawberries.
 
The cultivation of strawberries in Europe is first mentioned in 14^th  century French literature.
 
The oldest illustration of strawberries appeared in “Gart der Gesundheit“ (Garden of Health) printed in 1485 by Peter Schöffer. At that time, strawberries were grown mainly in apothecary gardens, and all parts of the plants were made use of for medicinal teas, syrups, tinctures or salves for bruises, throat illnesses, kidney disease and other illnesses.
 
 
The cultivation of strawberries experienced an upsurge in the eighteenth century when American varieties with large fruit were introduced in Europe.
 
Today’s garden strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) arose by chance in France in the middle of the eighteenth century when two American strawberry varieties that were not found near each other in their homelands were cultivated together: the large fruited and relatively tasteless Chilean strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis), which had come to Europe in 1712 and whose range extends from South Chile to Peru and from California to Alaska and Hawaii, fertilised the small, tasty Virginia strawberry (Fragaria virginiana), which was first mentioned in a garden catalogue in 1623. Due to its scarlet colour, the latter was called “Scharlacherdbeere” (scarlet strawberry) in German. By the year 1820, around 70 varieties of “scarlet strawberries” had been described.
 
The accidental cross-breeding of Fragaria chiloensis with Fragaria virginiana resulted in the garden strawberry, which is a combination of the good characteristics of both parent plants.
 
At the end of the nineteenth century, the cultivation of strawberries was limited to household gardens and castle gardens. 
 
The garden strawberry (Fragaria ananassa) was brought from Germany to Wiesen by two of its citizens, Hans Wolf and Hans Eckhardt. Planted there for the first time in 1870, it grew excellently thanks to the favourable climatic and soil conditions.
 
Thanks to good sales on the market in Vienna, strawberries quickly became an important crop. According to the municipality’s chronicle, a number of citizens became involved with their cultivation and selection in the years that followed.
 
A government strawberry research institute was stationed in Wiesen from 1912 to 1922. Primary school director Johann Földes oversaw the over 1 hectare testing area.
Its task was to test and acclimate new garden strawberry varieties.
In 1922, however, negotiations between Johann Földes and the Burgenland Provincial Government resulted in the cancellation of the research institute.
 
At the beginning of the twentieth century, almost every house in Wiesen had strawberries planted in its garden.
The varieties that were widespread at that time were: “Konsum”, “Laxtons Noble” (in dialect “Die Runde” (The round one)), “Späte von Leopoldshall”, “Queen Louise” (in dialect “Die Madlische”, after Madl-Weghofer, who was supposed to have introduced it) and “Perle von Gotha”, “Riese von Thüringen”, “Riese von Harzland”.
 
In the 1920s, “Madame Moutot” (in dialect “Paradeiser” (tomato)) caught on and became the main variety.
 
It was only in 1951 that the Burgenland Chamber of Agriculture started a research field for garden strawberries in Wiesen. According to Wiesen’s local chronicle, the purpose of this field was to investigate new varieties, carry out exact fertiliser tests, control pests and find out the most favourable distance between plants in consideration of the use of labour-saving tools for working the soil. The testing was successfully completed in 1954.
 
In 1981, the municipality was granted a municipal coat of arms showing a garden strawberry next to a bowl of fruit, fields and forest.
 
- Region:
The municipality of Wiesen is located in the district of Mattersburg (Burgenland) at the foot of the Rosalien Mountains at an altitude of 306 m, only a few kilometres away from Eisenstadt, the capital of the province, and Lake Neusiedl.
 
Climatic and soil conditions:
The municipality of Wiesen lies at the intersection of two different European climatic zones, the Pannonian climatic zone of the lowland plain and the alpine climatic zone of the Eastern Alps. It is significantly influenced by Lake Neusiedl.
 
The large body of water stores heat, mitigates temperature fluctuations in summer, protects from early frosts in autumn and provides humidity.
Summers are dry and hot, winters are short and poor in snow. Autumns are sunny with mild temperatures and last till late October, sometimes to November.
Spring begins earlier than in other regions of Austria and is characterised by mild temperatures.
 
The average yearly temperature is 9.2°. The average yearly precipitation amounts to 700 mm, the majority of which falling as rain.
The deep and porous soils are rich in humus and nutrients and offer optimal conditions for growing strawberries. Degraded black earth on loamy marl or gravel are best for cultivation. Slightly acidic soils with a pH value between 5.5 and 6.5 are particularly suitable.
 
- Wiesener Ananas Erdbeere (Wiesen Garden Strawberry):
The strawberry (Fragaria) belongs to the rose family (Rosaceae). Contrary to its name, it is not a berry, botanically speaking, but a compound nutlet.
 
Strawberries are perennial, herbaceous plants with a thick, slightly woody rhizome.
 
Each rhizome produces runners, which are constantly removed since they weaken the mother plant. To obtain young plants, the runners are left to grow. They remain connected for a time to the mother plant, which nourishes them until they have taken root. This normally occurs rapidly. Well-rooted young plants are then separated from the mother plant and transplanted.
 
Today there are breeding stations (e.g. in Wels and Hartberg) that solely specialise in selling young plants since several varieties may not be propagated on their own.
 
Currently, the most common varieties being cultivated in the Wiesen region are Dasileg, Cery and Valetta.
 
Wiesener Ananas Erdbeere strawberries are produced in an area of around 50 ha by ca 45 farmers. 6 farms grow them following the organic guidelines.
 
Soil and fertilisers:
The field is prepared by milling it about 30 cm deep, after which mineral and organic fertilisers are applied as necessary.
 
Crop rotation:
Before strawberries are cultivated, the field must be prepared by cultivating preceding crop for several years. There is no specific crop rotation that must be followed; beans, peas, onions or early potatoes are all suitable preceding crops.
 
Cultivation and irrigation:
The young plants are transplanted partly in spring (March, April) and partly in summer (July/August). After they are planted, they must be heavily watered.
Transplanting in spring has become more common because there is often too little rain in summer and watering is necessary.
 
The young plants must be well developed and have strong roots.
Most are transplanted using machines.
Since young plants have difficulty bearing the midday heat, the ideal time for transplanting is in the early morning hours or the late afternoon.
 
The young plants are placed in the earth with their entire rootstock. Care must be taken to ensure that the heart of the plant is on the same level as the soil surface.
 
Enough space must be available for each plant so that it can develop. The spacing between the plants depends on the variety and the soil conditions. Plants that are planted very close to each other have good yields in the first year, but in subsequent years they diminish greatly when the larger plants need more room. Plants that are spaced too close together are also more susceptible to pests, which are in turn more difficult to control.
 
The distance between the individual plants is about 25 cm, while the distance between the rows is 60 - 70 cm.
Yields are around 7 - 8 tonnes per ha.
 
After strawberry plants that were transplanted the previous year are free of snow in the spring, the soil between the rows must be worked by milling.
The weeds between the individual plants are removed by hand.
 
When the first fruit buds appear, the soil is no longer worked because at this time the plants are extremely sensitive.
 
During dry weather, irrigation has a positive effect on blossom and fruit formation.
When the plants are flowering, shortly before the ripening stage, straw is placed underneath the strawberry plants to prevent the ripening fruits from becoming dirty.
 
Cultivation:
The great majority ofWiesener Ananas Erdbeere are grown for one or for two years. The plants are rarely left in the field for several years (3 to a maximum of 4 years).
 
Immediately following the harvest, plants are attended to so as to prevent the accumulation of weeds and thus the weakening of the plants. The runners that form after the harvest are removed so that the mother plant does not lose any nutrients.
 
At the same time that the runners are removed, the straw that was applied before the harvest is also taken away and the soil is once again worked by milling. Weeds between the plants are removed. This work usually continues until the end of October.
 
Work in the garden strawberry fields is suspended from November to March.
 
Harvesting:
The harvest begins at the end of May and continues throughout June. The strawberries are picked along with their calyx and a short stem in order to prevent them from drying out. Damaged or inferior quality fruits are sorted out directly in the fields.
 
The fresh fruit used to be put into woven baskets produced especially for this purpose (Wanderlkörberl). They were stacked on top of each other in carrying frames (Kraxen) and brought either home or to the distributor.
 
Storage:
The ripe fruit is brought into a cellar or a refrigerated storage building in the region and is sold the next day.
 
- Proof of origin:
The strawberries are sold with a label including the name and address of the producer so they can be clearly traced back to the producer by consumers.
 
- Quality control:
Internal inspections are conducted without specifically determined criteria.
 
- Taste and nutrition:
Wiesener Ananas Erdbeerestrawberrieshave an aromatic flavour and a very distinct fine aroma.
 
Strawberries are regarded as a nutritious food with healing properties.
They contain a large amount of minerals (calcium, potassium, phosphorus and especially iron), fruit acids and vitamins (A, B1 and B2 and above all C).
Strawberries stimulate digestion and kidney function, strengthen the immune system, have a diuretic effect and encourage cell growth. The fruit is used to treat anaemia due to its high iron content.
In addition, they are a remedy for gout, tuberculosis, kidney and bladder disease, rheumatoid arthritis, various heart diseases, nervous disorders and circulatory problems.
Garden strawberry blossoms and leaves may be used to prepare a tea for treating infections.
 
- Marketing:

Photo: BMLFUW/Rita Newman

Wiesener Ananas Erdbeere are sold in cartons of either 250 g or 500 g arranged into rows in a crate. Larger customers usually receive the fruit in baskets with handles containing up to 2 kg or in small crates with up to 5 kg.
 
Fruit is sold via direct marketing (market stands directly in the field, on the farms, in the street) and to restaurants and the catering trade.
Wiesener Ananas Erdbeere strawberries have a particularly good reputation at markets in Vienna.
 
The close cooperation between strawberry farmers in the Wiesener Ananas Erdbeere region and the Rosalia Tourist Association promotes tourism in the region during the strawberry season.
 
The Ananaskirtag (garden strawberry festival) is traditionally celebrated in Wiesen in June. One girl from the municipality is elected “Ananaskönigin” (garden strawberry queen).
 
Connection between the geographical area and traditional knowledge:
- Special deep and porous soils that are rich in humus and nutrients and
  optimal climatic conditions allow the cultivation of high-quality strawberries.
- In harmony with the native soil: Wiesener Ananas Erdbeere strawberries
  have been propagated for hundreds of years in the region through runners.
- This method of production has lead to the excellent adaptation of the
  plants to the specific geographical location.
- Thanks to the method of cultivation and the particular geography,
  strawberries have been produced that offer an exceptional flavour.
- The unique taste and aroma of Wiesener Ananas Erdbeere are directly
  connected to the numerous hours of sunshine and the mild climate.
- The production of Wiesener Ananas Erdbeere is the result of traditional
  knowledge which has been passed on by people working in this field:
  traditional knowledge and experience of strawberry farmers (adaptation
  to the environmental conditions, selection of varieties, fertilising know-how,
  optimal harvesting) and marketing expertise.
 
- Utilisation:

Photo: BMLFUW/Rita Newman

Wiesener Ananas Erdbeere are enjoyed fresh directly after being harvested or processed into juice, jam, ice cream, strawberry wine or liqueur.
 
- Protection:  
-
 
Key Words
Food and agriculture, traditional knowledge, Austria, region, Burgenland, Wiesen, strawberries, Ananas-Erdbeeren, garden strawberries, Gartenerdbeere, Fragaria ananassa, Wiesener Ananas Erdbeere, Wiesen Garden Strawberry  
 
Bibliography / References
- KRIEGLER J. et al. Die Ananas-Erdbeerkultur in Wiesen.
  In: Heimatbuch der Marktgemeinde Wiesen.
  Eigenverlag Marktgemeinde Wiesen im Burgenland, 2001;
  Wiesen im Burgenland. S. 87-91.
- LÖSCHNIG, J. (1919): Die Erdbeerkulturen von Wiesen.
  In: Der Obstzüchter, 17. Jgg.
- MÖSCHKE, P. (1905): Die Erdbeere. Ihre Einteilung, Beschreibung
  und Kultur im freien und unter Glas (Treiberei). Zweite Auflage,
  Verlag Neudamm, Berlin.
- Wiesener Ananas-Erdbeere
  http://www.genuss-region.at
- Kleine Geschichte des Beerenobstanbaues in Österreich
  http://www.arche-noah.at/Beeren-Dateien/beerengeschichte.htm
- Ananas
  http://oewb.retti.info/oewb-public/show.cgi?lexnr=55iEI5QnIu3jihIQAgqTpLLNJiz5FNYGMprUhBa8wTLaRAwRSrP8Gw==&pgm_stat=show
- Erdbeer-Raritäten
  http://www.arche-noah.at/etomite/index.php?id=165#erdbeere
- Erdbeere
  http://www.sedi-fruits.at/sortiment/erdbeere
- Erdbeeren: Köstlich, gesund und leicht
  http://www.bmlfuw.gv.at/article/articleview/33721/1/8169/
- Wiesener Ananas Erdbeeren sind neue Genussregion
  http://www.bauernzeitung.at/netautor/napro4/appl/na_professional/parse.php?id=2500%2C13376%2C2141%2C%2CeF9QSUNUX05SWzBdPTAmaW5saW5lPTEmbnBmX3NldF9wb3NbaGl0c109JTI1bnBmX3NldF9wb3MlMjU%3D
- Erdbeeren – aus Amerika in alle Welt
  http://www.obstbau.org/content/service/wissenswertes/erdbeeren_aus_amerika.php
- Erdbeeren
  http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erdbeere
- Gartenerdbeere
  http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gartenerdbeere
- Wiesen (Burgenland)
  http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiesen_%28Burgenland%29
- Jetzt ist Erdbeerzeit
  http://www.forum-ernaehrung.at/cms/feh/dokument.html?ctx=CH0112&doc=CMS1145603485532
- Wiesen
  http://www.geomix.at/oesterreich/Burgenland/Mattersburg/Wiesen.html
- Burgenland
  http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burgenland
- Burgenland
  http://www.lerntippsammlung.de/Burgenland.html
 
All internet references last accessed 19^th  of September 2008.  
 
Language Code
German
 
Product of www.genuss-region.at  
Yes 
 
Regional contact 
Tourismusverband Region Rosalia
Doris Aufner, Brunnenplatz 3/II
A- 7210 Mattersburg,
Phone: 02626/63467, Fax: 02626/63467
E-mail: rosalia@wellcom.at
www.region-rosalia.at
 
Authors: Eva Sommer, Erhard Höbaus
  

12.01.2012, Lebensministerium III/4