How fresh a 120 year old apple can be

Apple farmer Ulrich Gössl on tradition and innovation

Apple growing has its tradition in Steiermark. The climate with its warm days and cool nights let the fruits grow real juicy and savoury. But for the perfect apple that won’t do. To really have apple growing in your blood, you better imbibe it from your infancy. Like Ulrich Gössl, for whom – as for many SanLucar contract partners – cultivating fruit and vegetables is family tradition. Way back, even Emperor Franz von Habsburg wouldn’t have touched an apple without asking: "Are you sure, it is from the Gössls?"

Another part of the fruit and vegetable growing tradition is to know, when it’s time for a new variety. For an apple or grape to become really good, it takes many years of experience and care. Thus farmer Giuliano has cultured the new sort of seedless grape called „Sweet Luisa“. But innovation goes various ways. Strawberry farmer Morcelo for instance plants part of his fruits in hydroculture, about 40 inches above ground, and that way saves up to 60% in water.

Because - according to an English say - you better eat an apple a day to keep the doctor away, it’s not only Steiermark, SanLucar apples in varieties like Braeburn, Granny Smith, Royal Gala, Jonagold,Red Chief und Elstar, but also New Zealand or South Africa. If only Emperor Franz had known, that such delicious apples are to be found in his colonies too.....