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Regionale Streuobstprodukte von Bayerischen Bauern verkosten und kennenlernen-29

Various producers presented their orchard fruit products from Bavaria.

Tasting and discovering regional orchard products from Bavarian farmers || What a highlight! I had the pleasure of participating in the recent "Orchard Kitchen Party" and getting to know the delicious and diverse products made from Bavarian orchard fruit, along with the producers themselves. During the event, a wide variety of products made from the fruit of local orchard trees were presented and showcased. Together with numerous other guests, I was able to sample the diverse offerings and also taste Bavarian brandies and delicious sparkling wines as part of the kitchen party. I also had stimulating conversations with the orchard owners and product producers, learning why it's so important for all of us to support orchard fruit and its products.

The ORCHARD KITCHEN PARTY – meet Bavarian orchard producers

Why even have a kitchen party about traditional orchards? – Traditional orchards are an important topic, crucial for our environment, community, and food supply. Far too few people know how important regional traditional orchards are and how versatile the fruit from these trees can be in Bavaria. Not only do a wide variety of regional products come from the fruit, but traditional orchards also help preserve biodiversity and the cycle of Bavarian nature and cultural landscape. There are currently six million traditional orchard trees in Bavaria, distributed across numerous orchards and fields. That sounds like a lot, but unfortunately, their number has decreased significantly in recent decades. It is therefore essential to carefully nurture and maintain our existing trees in these traditional orchards, which also highlights the important role of Bavarian traditional orchard farmers.

Regionale Streuobstprodukte von Bayerischen Bauern verkosten und kennenlernen-13

Siglinde Pointer (left) and Regina Wallner (right) discussing orchards

The evening was moderated and hosted by Regina Wallner, who explained the important role of traditional orchards and introduced the winners of the first "Traditional Orchard Innovation Competition" in her speech – some of whom were present in person. The diversity of traditional orchards and their benefits were also emphasized. Not only do producers and marketers profit from traditional orchards, but also tourism and the residents of Bavaria.

The exhibitors
Part of the exhibitors present was Ms. Siglinde Pointer (from at) Pointner Fine SpiritsThe trained sommelier of fine spirits presented her meticulously crafted brandies and liqueurs, made from hand-picked, regional fruits from Bavarian orchards. I sampled a delicious quince brandy and discussed the differences between good and less good brandies, learned the best way to taste them, and discovered the crucial role that the careful distillation process plays in the quality of Bavarian orchard fruit products. (Incidentally, the Pointner fine brandies were also part of the „Bavaria Brand Action“ at the Viktualienmarkt in Munich.)

Regionale Streuobstprodukte von Bayerischen Bauern verkosten und kennenlernen-14

Here, Bavarian dried pears from Franz Hümmer's Hutzel farm are being cut.

At the stand of Hutzelhof Hümmer I came with Farm owner Franz Hümmer I got into conversation with the owner of a Hutzel farm with over 100 of his own fruit trees. Hutzeln are dried pears, dried whole, stem and all, thus retaining a concentrated amount of everything that makes the pear so valuable. I learned that autumn is the peak season for Hutzels, and that everything from harvesting the fruit in the fields to drying and storage is still done by hand on his Hutzel farm using time-honored methods. At his stand, I sampled various types of thinly sliced Hutzeln – pear and plum – as well as the plum and pear brandy, which also comes from and is produced on the farm.

Regionale Streuobstprodukte von Bayerischen Bauern verkosten und kennenlernen-19

Delicious sparkling wine from "EinHeimischer" in Burgbernheim

The Burgbernheim including and City council member Martin Birngruber: „"Burgbernheim is a town with 30,000 fruit trees, of which around 50 are plum trees. We also have old fruit varieties such as 'Red Iron Apple', 'Emperor Alexander' and 'Delicious of Charneux' growing in our orchards in the town," he said. Mayor Matthias Schwarz. And further: „The local cooperative Streuobst Mittelfranken West eG has been producing, processing and marketing the products from the regional orchards of Burgbernheim under the name for eight years.” ‚'A local'‘. We even offer tree pruning courses, tree partnerships, orchard discovery trails, talks with orchard growers, and much more on site.“ I tasted various ‚EinHeimischer‘ juices (clear and cloudy apple juice and spritzer, red spritzer, and apple-pear-aronia juice), as well as delicious sparkling wine and fine mulled cider jelly. I also got to try the delicious „Apfelbeisser“ (a sausage with processed pieces of orchard apple), which Martin Birngruber produced and brought from Burgbernheim. Another stand presented both single-variety, classic, and blended juices from Krischan Cords (Main Streuobst Bienen EG).

Anton Kreitmeir, Head of alp Bayern – Agency for Food Products from Bavaria was also part of the kitchen party: „We see a great need to raise awareness of the topic of ‘orchard fruit in and from Bavaria‘ and to bring it closer to consumers.“ And further: „The Bavarian State Ministry for Food, Agriculture and Forestry This represents all the important topics that are also of the highest priority for our Bavarian producers: orchard trees fall under the purview of foresters (forestry), meadows concern farmers (agriculture), and orchard fruit is part of our food supply. For this reason, we have the following in 2020/2021 Orchard Pact founded – an association of various organizations, all committed to the cultivation and preservation of traditional orchards.“ Regarding traditional orchards, Anton Kreitmeir is optimistic about the future: „Unfortunately, traditional orchards have experienced a dramatic decline since the mid-1960s. We want to Plant one million trees in the next ten years, which should be maintained and utilized. To ensure this by Bavarian orchard growers, the trees must be used economically and the producers must be compensated. It is important to demonstrate the diverse uses of orchard fruit. Our orchard growers ensure that the tradition of orchard fruit continues and that this fascinating topic is brought back into the public consciousness and onto modern food and drink menus!“

Regionale Streuobstprodukte von Bayerischen Bauern verkosten und kennenlernen-04

Cooking with Bavarian orchard fruit: Here the main course is being prepared.

Cooking with Bavarian orchard fruit

Of course, the kitchen party wasn't just about tasting liquid refreshments; there were also all sorts of delicacies, each containing components of Bavarian orchard fruit. The evening began with a savory mini quiche with apple, onion (bacon) filling as well as a delicious Pear and chili jam, which was cooked down on site, bottled, and served with fine cheese. Both the jam and the quiche were delicious. Monika König, from Landshut Farmers' Wives Service with. Afterwards there was two different appetizers, which of Serkan Tunca, a chef specializing in vegan cuisine, prepared it. First, a Parsnip cream soup with dried fruit bread chips and then a fine beetroot and horseradish dip, which was also served on Hutzelbrot (a type of fruit bread) from the Hutzel-Hof Hümmer farm and topped with orchard fruit. As an intermediate course, the Kustermann Cooking School team served a delicious „apple biters in a glass“ – you remember the sausage with orchard apple from Burgbernheim – while the main course was being prepared on the grill on the roof terrace: „"Picanha of beef rump with new potatoes, beans, orchard pears and a dried pear and port wine reduction"“. The sweet finale was a sweet Orchard baked apple with baked apple crumble, cinnamon espuma and walnut crunch. Even though you unfortunately couldn't enjoy the menu, it should show you how flexible and versatile our Bavarian orchard fruit can be used and processed in cooking (not just in jars).

Regionale Streuobstprodukte von Bayerischen Bauern verkosten und kennenlernen-20

How delicious! The "Apfelbeisser" – sausage with orchard apple – from Burgbernheim

Let's go! Discover the orchards in Bavaria

I wanted to try it too? Great! But where to go if you want to admire the beautiful orchards in Bavaria and marvel at their richly laden trees? – At a Bike tour through the apple country of Upper Bavaria around the Bavarian Bad Feilnbach There are 25,000 different apple varieties from purely organic cultivation growing in traditional orchards. The [event name] also takes place there every year. Bad Feilnbach Apple Market instead, which ones are worth visiting. Or also in Lower Bavaria. Hilly bay „Lallinger Winkel“, In the Bavarian Forest, also known as "The Fruit Basket of the Bavarian Forest," numerous varieties of orchard fruit can be found. Countless shopping opportunities are offered for regional orchard fruit products – whether preserved, cooked, or processed into fine brandies. Also in Franconia There are many traditional orchards that are being preserved. For example, at the Franconian Cider Route, or the one presented Burgbernheim. In Upper Franconia is located Europe's largest sweet cherry growing region. This too can be visited for tours and tastings. Numerous farm shops, distilleries, and inns offer regional orchard fruit on site.

You can find even more impressions of the evening and of Bavarian orchard fruit products in the following photo gallery. I promise you, it's worth trying them and enjoying the diversity of Bavarian orchard fruit, and specifically seeking out products from Bavarian orchard growers. On your next trip through beautiful Bavaria, remember my article and me, and make your own contribution by buying Bavarian orchard fruit products. Thank you.

+++ This article was produced in cooperation with the Bavarian State Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Forestry. Thank you! +++