Austrian Nature Park Specialties
Eating and enjoying, what we want to protect
There are 44 nature parks in Austria - they represent characteristic cultural landscapes. The beauty and charm, which are the main draws of these landscapes, are mainly due to keeping the traditional way of producing goods by farmers of the regions.
If rural specialties they produce can not be brought on the market because they are being replaced by agro industrially produced goods, the typical cultural landscape will be endangered.
15 nature parks cooperate with each other for an EU project and focus on the production of culinary delights. Their products are part of the newly developed brand “Austrian Nature Park Specialties”. The brand stands for conservation of the cultural landscape, enjoyment and highest quality.
Wanted treats of the nature parks
In every one of the 15 nature parks there is one special treat, a rarity to discover. Neglected fruit species, such as the “Hirschbirne” in the nature park Pöllauer Tal, the “Maschanzker-Apfel” in the nature park Raab or the Quince in the nature park Obst-Hügel-Land, are used to juices, liquors and jams.
In the alpine nature parks cattle and sheep are grazing on mountain pastures and other areas which cannot be used intensively and thereby accruing is avoided. At the same time they are supplying the “ingredient” for the “Oberg’richtler Biobergkäse” from the nature park Kaunergrat, the “Glundner Kas” from the carinthian nature park Dobratsch, the “Steirerkas” from Sölktäler or the “Schaf-Camembert” from the Niederösterreichische Eisenwurzen.
Wild ham and sausages are produced in the densely wooded nature parks Grebenzen and Steirische Eisenwurzen. Wild and garden herbs, berries as so sloes and dirndln are the basis for specialties from the nature parks Mühlviertel, Mürzer Oberland and Leiser Berge.
Almost neglected cultures such as hemp, which is processed to hemp oil, cosmetics and other products, can be found in the nature park Heidenreichsteiner Moor.
Of course viniculture plays an important role, with its typical reeds it is eponymous and a typical feature of the scenery the nature parks Weinidylle and Südsteirisches Weinland. These wines are well known and popular in Austria.
Where do I get Nature Park specialties?
Nature park specialties are available in the respective nature parks, in nature park offices, farmer shops or in supermarkets. You can find a list of outlets in nature park offices and on www.naturparke.at. Besides you can also order some of the nature park specialties directly on the homepage along with the annual “Nature park Christmas present packages” which include a broad range of various specialties from the nature park regions across Austria.
