Special exhibition “Black Forest Delights”

Ham, cherry brandy and more

Small exhibition ABC

A

exhibition

The castle's special exhibitions address regional themes of cultural and historical significance. They complement and expand on the themes of the museum at Neuenbürg Castle. The current autumn exhibition focuses on two legally protected culinary trademarks of the region: ham and cherry brandy.

B

spirits
is a substance with many applications: In addition to medicinal purposes (internal and external treatment), brandy is considered a food and luxury item that curbs hunger and helps escape reality. There have been and continue to be critical voices from the authorities – including in the Black Forest – about the excessive consumption of alcohol.

C

Chemistry
Although the presence of toxins in food is a significant concomitant of our modern times, it only appears marginally in the exhibition. The cultural history of eating and drinking shows that we can live without them.

D

Distill
This is the process of distilling. After the mash has fermented, the mash is distilled, followed by the fine distillation. To reduce the resulting high-proof schnapps to drinking strength, soft spring water is added. Farmers used snow in the past.

E

acorns
Along with acorns and beechnuts, these were the main food of forest pigs. Free-range pigs were preferably driven into the forest. Acorn-fed pigs, in particular, produced robust meat—the ideal prerequisite for a good ham.

F

Meat
Pork is the "raw material" for ham. This also explains why ham is rarely consumed in the Jewish and Islamic worlds: both religions forbid their believers from eating pork.

G

Our history
Brandy is a "spirited" drink. "Wine spirit" was already known in ancient times; the word "alcohol" comes from Arabic and means the "finest" or "spirit" of wine. Distillation also became known in this area in the late Middle Ages. Physicians mixed brandy with spices, herbs, and salt. The "water of life" (aquae vitae) was also used as a medicinal remedy.

H

rump
The meat from the hindquarters of the pig is considered the best and finest of the pig. It's logical that the best part of this animal is just good enough for ham!

I

Information
If you would like more information about the special exhibition "Black Forest Delights," please email the castle team. They will be happy to answer your questions (info@schloss-neuenbuerg.de).

K

cherries
grow on the western and eastern slopes of the Black Forest, which are influenced by the favorable Rhine climate. "Wild cherries" are used for Black Forest kirsch. The most promising locations are between 400 and 600 meters above sea level.

L

sovereignty
This led to several conflicts with the farmers throughout history. The beech and oak trees in the Black Forest were needed for export to Holland. The local government was interested in the export revenue, while the farmers were interested in forest and pasture farming. Gradually, pasture farming was replaced by stable farming during the 19th century.

M

tRADEMARK
Just like Black Forest gateau, Black Forest ham and cherry brandy are also legally protected trademarks. Since 1997, the quality of Black Forest ham has been specified: dark, robust meat, smoked with Black Forest fir twigs.

N

Neuchâtel
Pig farming no longer exists in this town in the Upper Enz Valley. However, pigs whose hindquarters are processed into ham are permitted to be imported into the Black Forest from other countries and regions.

O

Special Offers
Admission to the special exhibition is free. However, anyone wishing to do so may make a donation. This will ensure that special exhibitions can continue to be held at Neuenbürg Castle in the future!

P

paragraphs
As early as 1726, farmers in the Ortenau region were granted the right to distill alcohol from pome and stone fruit for their own consumption. Later, the state levied a spirits tax to also generate revenue from the region's growing economic power.

R

Smoking
That's what makes a ham a ham! Smoking in a chimney was a method of preserving sausage and ham. The meat was hung in the chimney over an open fire or in special smoking chambers.

S

Swine
Pigs don't just bring good luck. For the ancient Egyptians, they were a symbol of prosperity and fertility. In many religions, pigs were also sacrificial animals. The Celts had a "boar god" named Moccius.

T

Topi
Hobeer and Zibärtle – these are the names of special types of brandy from the Black Forest. The finest fruit waters and spirits can be made not only from cherries, but also from other fruits: blueberries, raspberries, wild fruits such as sloes, rowan trees, and serviceberries, apples, pears, plums, and prunes. Even root tubers are used.

U

support
No exhibition without sponsors! The castle team thanks the town of Neuenbürg and the Baden State Museum, as well as the following supporters and sponsors: the Black Forest Ham Protection Association, the Baden Small-Scale and Fruit Distillers Association, and the Federal Association of Fruit Distillers.

V

Vesper
According to a contemporary from the late 19th century, the Black Forest meal consists mainly of a lot of pork and "spirited waters." But we know that a good Vesper involves much more than that.

W

Forest pastures
were lucrative sources of income. The "Eckerichrecht" (Eckerich Law) was in effect until the early modern period and guaranteed forest owners payment if they provided forest pastures for pigs. Field names such as "Saukopf" (Sau's Head) and "Viehläger" (Viehläger) still bear witness to this today.

Z

sigh
Livestock farming is, alongside arable farming, the most important agricultural industry. Pig breeding can look back on a turbulent history: During the Great Migration, highly bred fattening pigs disappeared. Until the 19th century, a wild boar-like breed predominated in Germany, which was crossed with English and Chinese breeds.