The Manufaktur Gelbe Bürg processes walnuts from the Altmühltal region into local delicacies. By utilizing both old and new walnut trees, the cooperative makes a sustainable contribution to preserving the Franconian cultural landscape.
Conversation with Martin Lettenmeier from Manufaktur Gelbe Bürg
Little tree, shake yourself. Are the walnut trees in the Altmühltal a forgotten treasure?
Well, I would say those days are fortunately over! Today, walnuts are quite significant for us. Our cooperative has existed for seven years, and back then, our goal was to unearth that treasure. We succeeded—or at least contributed to it. This certainly also has to do with people's changing eating habits. In the past, our region was primarily characterized by meat-based diets. Walnuts were, at most, an addition to cookies or eaten as a casual snack. Nowadays, our walnuts are a highly sought-after commodity.
As a rule, nuts come from all over the world. What does conventional walnut cultivation look like?
Conventionally, walnuts are grown in huge plantations, usually in a dry climate. While they thrive there, the ecological footprint is significant due to long transport routes and intensive water consumption. Our Franconian walnuts, on the other hand, often grow on old, locally distributed trees that have shaped the landscape for generations. That is a completely different quality—and one that makes regional sense.
What makes your walnuts special?
Our walnuts have an intensely nutty aroma with a fine, barely noticeable bitterness. We gently air-dry them instead of heat-shocking them—this preserves the full flavor. In addition, we process the nuts into high-quality walnut oil, walnut butter, and roasted specialties.
How does your concept support the cultural landscape?
Every single walnut we process helps preserve a walnut tree. We cooperate with farmers and landowners who maintain their trees instead of cutting them down. This preserves the scenic diversity of our region—trees that are sometimes a hundred years old still define our homeland to this day.
