Brief
Spar Austria pilots two historic apple varieties in Vienna stores
The pilot will assess taste, growth and shelf life of the apples before wider regional rollout.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Spar Austria, in partnership with produce distributor Frutura, has begun a pilot rollout of two long‑forgotten Austrian apple varieties – Ilzer Rosenapfel and Falchs Gulderling – to a trial supermarket in Vienna and to regional daycare centres and schools next month, the Guardian reported.
What happened
The scheme, announced on 19 October 2026, targets the roughly 10 of Austria’s 2,000 apple types that currently reach supermarkets. An experimental orchard in Styria now holds 2,150 trees of the two varieties. The first fruits were harvested this week for sampling.
What the reports add
The Guardian notes that the Ilzer Rosenapfel dates from about 1840 in Styria, while Falchs Gulderling was identified in the 1870s in South Tirol. Frutura’s co‑managing director Katrin Hohensinner‑Häupl described the apples as “bringing their history and flavour back to life”. Markus Kaser, Spar Austria’s deputy chair, said the pilot will test whether the varieties can thrive under modern commercial conditions and, if successful, could be offered throughout the region.
What was said
“Farming never stands still,” Hohensinner‑Häupl told the Guardian, adding that the Gulderling fruit was “particularly oversized and deep red” and the Ilzer Rosenapfel “more diminutive and paler in complexion”. She said the taste “recalls apples from childhood”. Kaser said, “Many consumers today are once again taking a greater interest in where food comes from, the varieties involved and how it tastes.”
How it came about
The project draws on a broader European trend of reviving heirloom fruit and vegetables. Environmental NGO Arche Noah helped identify heritage apples suitable for large‑scale cultivation. The pilot mirrors smaller‑scale artisanal orchards across Europe and the United States that have experimented with unique apple varieties.
Key facts
- Spar Austria and Frutura are testing Ilzer Rosenapfel and Falchs Gulderling apples in a pilot rollout. (theguardian.com)
- An experimental orchard in Styria has 2,150 trees of the two varieties. (theguardian.com)
- The first fruits were harvested this week for sampling and will go to a Vienna trial supermarket and regional schools next month. (theguardian.com)
- Ilzer Rosenapfel dates from about 1840; Falchs Gulderling was identified in the 1870s. (theguardian.com)
- Katrin Hohensinner‑Häupl said the apples are “bringing their history and flavour back to life”. (theguardian.com)
- Markus Kaser said the pilot will test whether the varieties can thrive in commercial fruit growing under today’s conditions. (theguardian.com)
Sources
- [1] theguardian.com — originally reported as “Core values: the Austrian scheme bringing forgotten apple varieties back to life”
