Genuinely old varieties

We give fruit & vegetables an identity. Because we don't treat them as nameless objects that merely serve a purpose. Each variety has its own story, characteristics that make it special. Our mission is to tell you this story, to let you be a part of it, and we see it as an exciting experience to bring you closer to this diverse pleasure.

Introduction

It is estimated that more than 80% of the former diversity of cultivated plants has been irrevocably lost in the last hundred years. To stop this process, associations, foundations, NGOs and NPOs are working as conservation organizations, the largest of which are ProSpecieRara in Switzerland, Arche Noah in Austria and Bingenheimer Saatgut in Germany. The loss of these varieties leads to homogenization, which can endanger food security in the long term.

What are old fruit and vegetable varieties and how do they differ from hybrids?

Genuinely old varieties are characterized by a seed-fast characteristic, as were all varieties before the 20th century. This means that they can be replanted and produce seeds that form identical plants when sown again.
This changed abruptly with the introduction of hybrid varieties, so-called F1 varieties, in 1956. Hybrids are not capable of being reproduced true to variety, but result in variegated plants that are not identical to the parent generation.

Today, hybrids dominate the seed supply for vegetables, and the trend is towards complete market dominance of these varieties. These new varieties are patented by seed companies in cooperation with large chemical companies, thus monopolizing access to these seeds more and more. It goes so far that the right pesticide is developed and sold at the same time as each newly developed variety. This is an economically lucrative business, as these companies decide which plants are bred, cultivated and harvested.
However, we are dependent on these high-yielding hybrid varieties, as the old varieties are usually very low-yielding and therefore cannot even begin to meet current demand.

What added value do old, seed-resistant varieties have?

Old varieties offer more intense and varied flavors compared to industrially bred varieties. They are characterized by a rich, original taste profile, which at the same time provides a wealth of ingredients. As a result, they make a significantly greater contribution to a healthy and wholesome diet.

In order to slow down the decline in biodiversity on our native soils, a broad genetic basis is crucial to make plants more resistant to diseases, pests and climate change.

The protection of old varieties is also important in the context of the increasing patenting of seeds. They are always patent-free, uninfluenced by corporations and accessible to the general public.

Overall, the protection of genuinely old varieties promotes the preservation of ecological and culinary diversity!