Gruber's Fruchtzauberei: Jams and Chutneys from Eastern Styria

Gruber's Fruchtzauberei is a small family business in Reigersberg near Ilz in Eastern Styria. The farm's history dates back to 1860; in the early 1990s, it shifted to fruit growing, with a focus on apples. René Gruber is a master fruit grower who oversees cultivation, while Beatrix is a chef who processes the fruit and vegetables into jams, chutneys, sauces, and vinegar. Everything is made by hand, following the principle of "quality over quantity."

Jam from Austria: Jams, "Röster," and Ragouts

The core of the product range is the jams. The strawberry jam is cooked using strawberries from their own garden, and the raspberry jam is finely sieved and seedless. The apricot jam – "Marille" is the Austrian word for apricot – is the classic choice for Sacher torte and doughnuts. These are complemented by blackberry, sweet cherry, pear, and "Hauszwetschke," an heirloom plum variety. Those who prefer their fruit in pieces will enjoy the apricot "Röster": a "Röster" is a chunky fruit compote and a classic Austrian accompaniment to Kaiserschmarrn. The cherry ragout with tonka bean and the apricot-cherry duet round off the dessert selection.

Chutneys, Pesto, BBQ Sauces, and Vinegar

For savory options, there are chutneys made with medlar, redcurrant, and grape with horseradish, as well as pumpkin chutney and pumpkin curry chutney. Tomato, basil, and walnut pesto, three tomato dips, and three fruit-based BBQ sauces – ranging from sweet & sour to hot & painful – complete the range. True to the apple, the farm's main crop, Fruchtzauberei produces two vinegars: apple vinegar and apple balsamic vinegar, which is aged for a long time in oak barrels.

Order Gruber's Fruchtzauberei online

At Leni & Hans, you can have the Fruchtzauberei range delivered to your door in 1–3 days. You can find more varieties from other artisan producers in the Jam & Preserves, Chutney & Co., and Pesto categories.