Wagramer Nuss

 
Record Number: 140
 
Disclosure Date
The Romans were probably the first people to bring the walnuts to the Wagram Region and since then they have been considered to be a traditional accompaniment to wine in the region.  
 

Photo: BMLFUW/A...

Title
Wagramer Nuss
(Wagram nut)  
 
 
 
 
 
Abstract or claim
raditional cultivation of walnuts (Juglans regia) in the gardens of the Wagram Region of Lower Austria.
Wagramer nuts have been cultivated, processed and marketed in the region for centuries.
Numerous regional varieties of walnuts with local differences have evolved due to deep, water-retaining loess soils and ideal climatic conditions, which are heavily influenced by the Danube and the Pannonian climate.  
 
Name of product, Product class
Walnut, nuts  
 
Name of region
Wagram, Lower Austria, Austria  
 
Field of search
Food and agriculture
 
Name of information provider
Toni Mörwald
Mörwald GmbH  
 
Name of applicant for title
--- 
 
Holder of knowledge or associated resources
About 15 walnut farmers and producers  
 
Grantee(s), holder(s), assignee(s) or owner(s) of title, if any
---  
 
Descriptors
- History:
The walnut is thought to be the oldest tree fruit. It originated in Persia, where findings of the remains of fossilised shells verify that it was already in use there in 7000 BC.
From Persia, it spread to Central Asia, China and Greece via trade routes. Roman legionaries brought the walnut to the Roman Empire as well as to the lands on the other side of the Alps. 
 
At first, the tree was known in German as Walschbaum, which is derived from the word Walsch or Welsch, the original Germanic term for Celts or the inhabitants of Italy. It was only in the 18^th  century that the name Walnussbaum came into use. Occasionally the walnut is called “Persian walnut” due to its origin.
 
Around 800 AD, the walnut was planted in Central Europe on the recommendation of Charlemagne.
 
Historical references to the walnut:
The first mention of the walnut was by Columella (4 - 70 AD) in his book about arboriculture (De re rustica, 60 - 65 AD) and by Pliny the Elder (23 - 79 AD) in his Naturalis historia (79 AD.) in which he reports that the Greeks brought the walnut tree to Europe from Asia between the 7^th  and 5^th  century BC.
It is also assumed that the sweet chestnut was cultivated at this time in the area between the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea.
The sweet chestnut spread and started to be cultivated during the time of Ancient Greece. It was mentioned in the works of famous Greeks (e.g. Homer).
 
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832) wrote about the walnut: “God gave us the nuts. But we have to crack them”.
 
History of the walnut in the Wagram Region:
It can be assumed that walnut trees started to be planted in the Wagram Region around 200 AD, as the Romans began to spread walnuts throughout the entire Roman Empire, including the Wagram Region.
 
Since the Romans began to cultivate walnuts in the loess soil of the Wagram, the nut has become a traditional accompaniment to wine in the region. The discovery of grape seed remains shows that the grapes for wine have been cultivated in the region since the time of the Celts around 700 BC.
 
In the 8^th  century, Charlemagne’s policies led monasteries and settlers to get more involved with fruit-growing. Upon Charlemagne’s order, walnuts were brought especially from Italy and planted in the Wagram Region and have been cultivated there ever since.
 
Walnuts have been grown in the Wagram Region by farmers and non-farmers.
 
Free-standing walnut trees used to be characteristic of regions with mild climates like the Wagram. They not only provided shade for those working in the fields, but were also a good source of vitamins and calories and stored well. However, the big trees soon became an obstacle to the increased use of machines and have since been largely erased from the landscape.
 
Walnut and symbolism:
The ancient Greeks were the first to hold walnuts in high regard as a symbol of fertility and a lucky charm: on the evening before the wedding, they would throw walnuts on the stone floor in the nuptial chamber, thus making a loud clatter. The origin of today’s “Polterabend” (eve-of-the-wedding party, but literally “clatter evening”) can be traced back to this custom.
 
The Romans consecrated the valuable walnuts to the gods and called them Jove’s acorn, “Jovis glans” in Latin. This is where the walnut gets its Latin name “Juglans regia” (the royal acorn of Jove).
 
Walnuts as part of diets:
Desserts with walnuts were particular favourites of the Romans and walnuts were grown all across Italy. The best varieties, however, were imported especially from Persia and were thus considered to be a rare delicacy. This meant that the nuts were very expensive and could only be afforded by wealthy families.
 
Medicinal use:
Since walnut kernels look like the human brain, old Chinese medicine assumed that eating walnut kernels could improve intelligence.
The nut has not only been a popular food, but it has also been a much sought-after medicine in folk medicine since the Neolithic Period. The leaves of the walnut tree are supposed to alleviate or cure various ailments, for instance, gynaecological conditions, cardiovascular diseases, high cholesterol levels, skin diseases and they can be used to purify the blood. Besides the kernels, which are high in protein, fat and vitamins, folk medicine has a long tradition of using medications made from walnut tree leaves.
 
- Region:
The Wagram is a 40 m high range of hills north of the Danube River between Langenlois bei Krems and Klosterneuburg in the Province of Lower Austria.
The region encompasses the Tullnerfeld Plain and borders to the west on the Kremstal Valley, to the north on the Waldviertel Region and to the east on the Marchfeld Plain.
 
The Wagram Region is comprised of the Municipalities of Absdorf, Fels am Wagram, Grafenwörth, Großriedenthal, Großweikersdorf, Kirchberg am Wagram, Königsbrunn am Wagram and the City of Tulln in the northern part of the Tulln District as well as Setteldorf am Wagram in the Klosterneuburg District.
 
The region is situated at an elevation between 181 m and 277 m. The gently undulating hills are considered to be an excellent region for growing wine.
 
Climate and soil conditions:
The soils of the region are permeable to water, calcareous and rich in nutrients. The Wagram was formed by the erosion of the Danube River (the old bank of the river) and is characterised by a uniform succession of layers consisting of the base (about half-way up), a gravel layer (typical Danube gravel from the Ice Age) and loess and loam cover.
 
Beside the microclimates of the individual marshes, the Wagram Region is dominated by warm, Pannonian climate.
The climate is influenced by the Danube in the south, which keeps the temperature even, and the warm Pannonian winds from the east.
The region is also characterised by pools of cold air in the lowlands and frequent fog.
The Waldviertel range of hills, Manhartsberg Mountain range, protects the region from cold, northern winds.
 
The average yearly temperature is 10 °C and the average yearly precipitation is 597 mm. The sun shines 1,684 hours a year and it rains on 149 days a year. The relative humidity is 60 %.
 
- Wagramer Nuss (Wagram nut):
Walnuts (Juglans regia) are part of the Juglandaceae family, genus Juglans.
 
The walnut is an indehiscent fruit and is considered to be a nut.
 
Description of the tree and fruit:
Walnut trees have a broad, ball-shaped crown and can reach heights of 20 - 30 m.
The 20 - 50 cm long leaves are odd-pinnate. Their long, egg-shaped leaflets are 6 – 15 cm long. The blossoms are green.
 
The ball-shaped fruit is covered by a smooth, green, fleshy husk.
The ripe fruits fall to the ground in September, after the husks burst open.
 
The round 2.5 – 5 cm wide and 3 – 8 cm long kernel (nut) is protected by a brown, woody, fissured and hard shell.
The white kernel consisting of two or four lobes is covered by a thick, brownish skin, which gives the walnut its bitter taste.
 
The walnut tree can yield about 100 – 150 kg of nuts, although the trees do not yield the same amount every year. This largely depends on the weather. The saying goes that good nut years are also good wine years.
 
Description of the variety:
The Wagramer Nuss is an English walnut variety (Juglans regia L.) as well as random seedlings that have not yet been identified.
Depending on the variety, the skin surrounding the kernel of the Wagramer Nuss is reddish, green or beige. Characteristic of the Wagramer Nussis its particularly intense walnut flavour.
 
Method of production:
All of the production from harvesting to grinding to packaging is done exclusively in the region by the producers themselves.
 
Tree planting:
The walnut tree is normally planted close to the house or farmhouse and plays a central role in the garden or farm. However, walnut trees can be found scattered across the countryside where nuts have fallen and started to grow.
 
Fertilising and irrigation:
There is no fertilisation or pest control of Wagram walnuts. No additional irrigation is needed thanks to the optimal climatic conditions.
 
Harvest:
After the green, fleshy husk has burst open and the nuts have fallen to the ground, the ripe nuts are gathered by hand between the end of September and the beginning of October. 
 
The harvest and the shelling are done exclusively by hand by the nut farmers. Afterwards, the nuts are processed directly by the farmers and producers.
 
The average yield is around 50 kg per tree.
 
Processing:
As required, the nuts are either eaten immediately, further processed or stored in their shells until further processing.
 
All the walnut farmers process the nuts themselves. All of the processing is done exclusively in the region.
 
After the harvest, the nuts are freed from the rest of the shell, washed and sorted out by hand. Afterwards, they are dried in the traditional way by putting them into breathable sacks and placing them in the farmer’s loft so they do not mould.
 
The nuts are then ground and chopped by hand or by machine depending on the producer.
 
Quality control:
Wagramer Nuss must comply with the minimum quality standards stipulated in Chapter 4 (Fruit) of the Austrian Food Code.
 
The producers themselves are exclusively responsible for controlling the quality of the nuts.
 
- Marketing:
Wagram nuts are available year round.
 
Wagram nuts are marketed directly on the farm, at farmers’ markets or in farmers’ shops and at restaurants within the region and beyond.
 
Every producer packages and labels their product, but they all have a label with the name “Wagramer Nuss” on it and the Region of Delight logo.
 
Connection between the geographical area and traditional knowledge:
- The Wagram is perfect for cultivating walnuts due to the loess soil rich in
  nutrients and the dry Pannonian climatic conditions.
- Wagram nuts have adapted very well to the local conditions over the
  centuries.
- The gentle production method (harvesting and shelling by hand, no artificial
  irrigation, no use of fertiliser or plant protection products and the gentle
  further processing by producers) and the specific geographical conditions
  are responsible for the purity of the nuts and ensure the highest quality.
- The production of Wagramer Nuss is the result of traditional knowledge,
  which has been passed down from generation to generation: traditional
  knowledge and experience of the tree owners, farmers and producers
  (adaptation of walnuts on the local environmental conditions, genetic
  improvement, traditional methods of cultivation and production).
 
- Use:
Wagramer Nuss is available whole or ground. 
 
The nut is used in numerous specialities: nut strudel, nut yeast dumplings, nut crepes, various nut pastries or the Wagram nut cherry cake. The Wagramer Nuss is also processed into nut bread, walnut ice cream and walnut oil.
 
Semi-ripe green nuts are harvested in June to make preserved walnuts high in vitamin C, are candied (and then are known as “black nuts”), or are turned into nut liqueur (nut spirits, nut brandy).
 
The tree has a wide range of economic uses in the forestry and timber industries, the urban greening process, or in the production of tanning and dying agents.
 
Walnut wood has been popular for centuries and is mainly used in the production of furniture.
It is a favourite of artists and is still used for veneers, furniture and interior decoration as well as for turnery products, musical instruments, chess pieces and gun stalks.
 
Nutritional importance:
Because of their low water content and high percentage of fat (50 – 70 %), walnuts are very rich in energy with plenty of unsaturated fatty acids.
Walnuts are rich in vitamins (B vitamins, vitamins A and E), amino acids, carbohydrates, minerals and fat (50 – 70 %). Around 9 to 10 litres of valuable oil can be produced from 50 kg walnuts.
 
- Protection:
-  
 
Key Words
Food and agriculture, traditional knowledge, Austria, region, Lower Austria, Wagram, fruit, nuts, Wagramer Nuss, Wagram nuts   
 
Bibliography / References 
- Die Pflanze des Monats Oktober 01: die Walnuss
  http://www.blumenboersen.ch/archiv/monatspflanze-walnuss.htm
- Die Walnuss
  http://walnuss.info/Geschichte.shtml
- Der Wagram – blaue Donau, gelber Löss und Grüner Veltliner
  http://www.weine-oesterreich.at/weinanbaugebiete/niederoesterreich/weinanbaugebiet-wagram.php
- Fruchtsaft in NÖ
  http://www.soschmecktnoe.at/pdf_files/noe_fruchtsaft.pdf
- Gemeinde Rundschau: Nuss.Genuss.
  http://194.106.234.69/~grafwoert/grafenwoerth/files/pdfs/2008_01.pdf
- Geschichte über den Wagram und seine Weine
  http://www.schlossthuernthal.at/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=56
- Klimainformation Region Wagram
  http://www.tiscover.at/at/guide/5,de,SCH1/objectId,RGN403775at,curr,EUR,parentId,RGN403775at,season,at2,selBlk,CURRWEATHERBLOCK,selElem,2,selectedEntry,home/climate.html
- Landschaft am Wagram
  http://www.transitstopp-wagram.org/doc/030225-p_tsw-2.pdf
- Lucius Columella
  http://www.ernestopauli.ch/Wein/Columella.htm
- Mar et all: Lehrbuch der Bäckerei. Trauner Verlag, Linz, 2007, S. 147f
- Maier-Bruck, Franz: Vom Essen auf dem Lande. Verlag Kremayr &
  Scheriau, Wien, 20032, S. 197
- m.weinbau
  http://www.moerwald.at/index.php?page=m-weinbau
- Mittelburgenländische Kaesten und Nuss
  http://www.genuss-region.at/article/archive/14436
- Mittelburgenländische Kästen und Nuss: Produkt
  http://www.genuss-region.at/article/archive/14438
- Nussfrucht
  http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nussfrucht
- Orte im Bezirk Tulln
  http://www.geomix.at/oesterreich/Nieder%F6sterreich/Tulln/bezirk.html
- Region und Gemeinden
  http://www.regionwagram.at/show_content.php?
- Wagram
  http://www.weinritter-steiermark.at/uploads/weinwissen/Wagram.pdf
- Wagramer Nuss: Produkt
  http://www.genuss-region.at/article/archive/24673
- Walnuss
  http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walnuss
- Weine
  http://www.weinbau-moerwald.com/weine.php
- Weingut Daschütz, Boden und Klima
  http://www.daschuetz.at/Boden-Klima.13.0.html
- Weinland Wagram
  http://www.wimmer-czerny.at/Wagram.htm
- Winzerhof Karl Ecker
  http://www.winzerhof-ecker.com/weinland1.htm
- Walnussbäume gehören zu den ältesten bekannten Bäumen
  http://walnuss.info/Geschichte.shtml
- Walnuss-Geschichte. Karriere einer Nuss
  www.walnuss.de
- Welsche
  http://www.aeiou.at/aeiou.encyclop.w/w424418.htm
- Die Pflanze des Monats Oktober 01: Die Walnuss
  http://www.blumenboersen.ch/archiv/monatspflanze-walnuss.htm
- Der Walnussbaum- Nützliches für Pharmazie und Medizin
  http://www.lwf.bayern.de/veroeffentlichungen/lwf-wissen/60/w60-09-lagoni.pdf 
 
All internet references last accessed on 12 November 2009.
 
Language Code
German
 
Product of www.genuss-region.at
Yes
 
Regional contact 
Toni Mörwald
Mörwald GmbH
Kleine Zeile 13-17
3483 Feuersbrunn
Mobil: 0676/84229833
E-Mail: toni@moerwald.at
www.moerwald.at  
 
Authors: Daniela Trenker, Eva Sommer, Erhard Höbaus 
 

23.01.2012, Lebensministerium III/4