Products derived from nature and Luxembourgish know-how (III): Guttland
The wide variety of local products in Luxembourg reflects the extraordinary natural environment, the know-how of the nation's producers and the rich heritage of our regions. Whether you're visiting Luxembourg or you live here, you can (re)discover the country through its flavours, while embracing a sustainable and inclusive approach. In this series of articles, we present a small selection of products from each region to inspire you and help you continue your flavourful and eco-responsible journey. Here, we set off to discover the culinary delights of the centre and centre-west of the country: the Guttland region!
Guttland: YOUR fruit and vegetables
The Guttland region lies in the centre and west of Luxembourg. Its evocative name refers to its most characteristic feature, the good land, in other words its fertile soils. The region is a keen advocate of slow tourism, a gentle voyage of discovery that includes quality culinary experiences with an emphasis on local produce from the region's fertile soils.
Vergers de Steinsel is a biotope full of tall-stemmed fruit trees of different ages and varieties. On the Steinsel plateau, the Steeseler Uebstbau Genossenschaft cooperative covers around 15 hectares and grows 15 apple varieties, three pear varieties and two plum varieties. The apples and pears are sold under the Eist Uebst a Geméis brand (literally "our fruit and vegetables"). This quality seal promotes local orchard farming and market gardening, providing a guarantee of regional origin, seasonal production and high quality standards. It is led by 12 Luxembourgish fruit growers and market gardeners, several of whom work in Guttland, and offers a wide range of fruit and vegetables.
Eist Uebst a Geméis and the best time to harvest
The Eist Uebst a Geméis website contains a seasonal fruit and vegetable calendar, with a list of the various fruits and vegetables, the producers that grow them and the month(s) each is harvested. Buying in season is the best guarantee of quality products.
Harvesting at the right time is important. The taste of apples, for example, depends on the sugar-to-acidity ratio, which is influenced by when they are harvested. Apples grown for market are often picked early to facilitate storage and transportation, but this can compromise their ripeness and taste. Local producers like Eist Uebst a Geméis, however, are closer to the customer and can pick their apples later, allowing them to ripen and develop more taste.
In Contern, the six-generation Muller-Lemmer farm is constantly developing and adapting to provide its customers with healthy local produce. The family business, known historically as An Éim Néckels, previously centred on dairy and livestock farming before embarking on a radical transition in the late 1990s. The farm is now managed by Jean‑Claude Muller and focuses on the production of fruit, vegetables and potatoes, the cultivation of cereal crops and the development of a distillery. But it has remained true to its local values and emphasis on quality. In summer, you can enjoy strawberries, cherries, mirabelles and plums. The distillery produces fruit spirits and liqueurs made with mature fruits grown on the farm or locally.
Where can I find these products?
The Steeseler Uebstbau Genossenschaft cooperative sells products on site (on the Steinsel plateau), and you can also pick your own fruit on Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
In September and October, the municipality of Steinsel organises its annual Fête aux Pommes (Apple Festival), a popular event in the Guttland calendar that will delight all apple lovers out there! You can pick 15 varieties and taste a wide range of products made from those orchard treasures.
The Eist Uebst a Geméis range of fruit and vegetables is sold by the Luxembourgish supermarket chain Cactus.
The Muller-Lemmer farm has a shop, Um Haff (literally "On the farm"). The farm shop sells products from the distillery and seasonal produce from the farm and from other regional producers.
In Mersch, the A Guddesch delicatessen sells culinary specialities typical of the Guttland region, including regional produce and cooked dishes that can be taken home.
Savour the terroir at Sou schmaacht Lëtzebuerg restaurants
Sou schmaacht Lëtzebuerg (how Luxembourg tastes, in English) is an invitation to discover Luxembourg through its flavours. This campaign showcases food products derived from local farming, wine-making and horticulture, while highlighting the extensive know-how of Luxembourg's regions. It enables visitors and residents to gain a better understanding of the wealth and diversity of the country’s products and emphasises the benefits of local and eco-responsible consumption.
Located throughout Luxembourg, restaurants bearing the Sou schmaacht Lëtzebuerg label welcome you for an authentic gourmet experience. Their menus regularly feature dishes made with Luxembourgish products, carefully selected for their freshness and quality. The chefs work in tune with the seasons and draw inspiration and creativity from their partnership with local producers.
This close connection between gastronomy and agriculture is based on a shared passion for good taste and well-made products. When setting foot in a Sou schmaacht Lëtzebuerg restaurant, you'll discover much more than a simple meal. Each establishment brings together the expertise of chefs and Luxembourgish farmers, wine-makers and market gardeners, for an authentic culinary experience rooted in the local region.
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