Unloading the empty apple crates
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Schuster Andreas
BIO Organic Producer – Feldhof
“You only achieve big goals step by step.”
Working is even more fun in good weather
Spreading joy in the organic-farming community
Only the bright red apples are picked, the others must be left to ripen
Even the dog has responsibility
My story
Andreas Schuster manages Feldhof farm together with his wife. They are based in the village of Vezzano, which is close to Silandro, the administrative centre of Val Venosta. The farm has been in the family for generations and lies at the foot of the Monte Sole mountain, in a perfectly sun-kissed spot. The warm, protected climate means that Vezzano is the top wine-producing village in the Val Venosta. The Feldhof farm is nevertheless specialised in apple growing. Andreas was a late starter as far as farming is concerned. He only realised after he left school that his main passion was for agriculture. Today, his orchards contain Pinova, Golden Delicious, Braeburn, Red Delicious and Topaz. The plots are all next to each other. This is important for organic apple farmers because it reduces the amount of time spent travelling from one parcel to the next, as well as minimising the proportion of land at the edge of the plantations. Andreas signed up to certified organic agriculture in 1999. "That's how I managed to avoid having to use synthetic agrochemicals. But the quality of my apples has increased all round!"
Where I live
My harvest
Bonita
The bittersweet lady
Beauty meets acidity: This bright and smooth crossover between Topaz & Cripps Pink makes the pests stay away, therefore, it is especially popular in organic farming.
Availability
January - May
Appearance:
opaque radiant red colour on creamy background, homogeneous shape, very smooth shell
Features:
juicy and crunchy bite
Taste:
aromatic with pronounced acidity
Royal Gala
The elegant precocity
The tasty gala appears every summer in its reddish yellow shell and the new apple season begins.
Appearance:
smooth shell, spherical shape, slightly conical, pale yellow base colour with bright red and striped cover
Features:
crispy and juicy with firm pulp
Taste:
refreshing, sweet with little acidity
Red Delicious
Red seduction
The image of the Red Delicious is difficult to resist. Seeing red can be really nice. And the red flavour is even more beautiful!
Appearance:
dark red colour, conical shape, oblong
Features:
juicy with very white pulp
Taste:
sweet, very aromatic with relatively slight acidity
SQ 159 / Natyra®
Natural talent loaded with aroma
The rustic apple with delicate pear and citrus spices keeps the pests away and impresses by its excellent flavour.
Availability
January - April
Appearance:
red to dark red, rustic appearance
Features:
good texture and juiciness, crunchy and compact
Taste:
sweet and sour with pear and citrus aroma
Pinova
The Val Venosta resistant
The Pinova with its red vermilion-red skin is a typical apple of Val Venosta. Not only is it colourful, it also has a very balanced flavour. Thanks to its long durability, it offers you unlimited fruit enjoyment until the summer season.
Appearance:
Bicolour, yellow to greenish, at least 30% of the fruit is covered with a bright vermilion colour
Features:
refreshing with very crisp, juicy and firm pulp
Taste:
Balanced proportion of sugar and acid
Topaz
The beautiful acid
Topaz makes biting the sour apple worthy! The aromatic fruit impresses with a pleasant acidity and is also a common variety in organic farming.
Availability
January - May
Appearance:
basic yellow tone with red striped components, round shape with flattened calyx
Features:
crunchy pulp with pleasant cream colouring
Taste:
acidified with sharp acidity
Braeburn
The juicy all-terrain
For a small snack between meals or used in many ways in the kitchen and bakery: The Braeburn is a true all-terrain. Be patient with it, as it develops its full aroma only after several storage months.
Appearance:
Roll shaped with a smooth and shiny surface, golden yellow base, scarlet to dark red with stripes
Features:
very juicy with firm bite and firm pulp
Taste:
pleasant proportion of sugar and acid, very refreshing
WA38 / Cosmic Crisp®
Heavenly taste
Heavenly attractive in appearance and taste. Pleasant summer fruitiness with aromas of green grass, kiwi and gooseberry.
Availability
February – April
Appearance:
Dark red-purple blush on a yellow-bright base color.
Features:
Very crunchy, particularly juicy and with a hard paring.
Taste:
Sweet-sour; balanced taste. Aromas of green grass, kiwi and gooseberry.
