Waldviertler Kriecherl

Many fruits that are commonly referred to as Kriecherl are not plums at all. In the Waldviertel, however, the wild plum is widespread.

The name is very common in Austria - but it often refers to the cherry plum, a non-native type of plum. Whilst the native real Kriecherl has become rare in Austria, there is still a greater density of Kriecherl trees in the Waldviertel region and a corresponding region of enjoyment.

The green-yellow Waldviertler Kriecherl is probably the oldest cultivated plant to have developed in the border region of Lower Austria and southern Moravia. There are around 30 different primitive plums that developed in the region 6000 years ago and differ in size, shape and harvest time. As this is a wild orchard, the small and short-lived trees are not grafted; they can be propagated from a core or a young shoot from the root system.

Harvesting the Kriecherl is time-consuming as the fruit is collected directly from the ground, as it does not ripen and therefore cannot be picked prematurely from the tree. The fruit is round, non-stony, has a high acidity and low sugar content and a characteristic, aromatic flavour. Waldviertler Kriecherln are used to make juices, jams, sparkling wines, mustards and schnapps.