Pumpkin Seed Oil

The unique feature about Styrian oil pumpkin is its skinless seeds, they give Styrian pumpkin seed oil its typical fine nut taste and its intensive dark green color.

Schlacher & Söhne Styrian pumpkin seed oil constitutes premium quality with the certified “P.G.I.” quality label.

The pressing of pumpkin seed oil requires a great deal of experience and care and is carried out by hand. Our pumpkin seed oil is produced using a traditional Styrian stamp pressing process. Through our traditional production philosophy we give our pumpkin seed oil the highest quality possible as well as its own character and charisma. From the careful cultivation of the pumpkin seeds to the expert roasting, these traditional production practices guaranty an all-natural and unique quality product that an easily recognizable culinary delight.

Grounding and roasting
In order to produce Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil P.G.I. the seeds are first ground, then water and salt are kneaded into the ground seeds and then the mixture gently roasted. The expertise of our Press Master is very important at this stage in the production, because based on his knowledge he decides when the roasting process is completed and pressing can begin

Pressing
The warm pumpkin seed mass is then pressed carefully using a traditional stamp press as part of a long process, without any additional heating. This releases the thick dark green oil. Nowadays, the oil millers have access to the most modern pressing equipment, which facilitates a gentle while also effective pressing.

Resting
The fresh pumpkin seed oil is then stored for 7 days. During this time, all of the suspended solids and fiber residue sink to the bottom as part of a natural process.

Bottling
After checking the quality of our oil, the bottling takes place under hygienic conditions, without the addition of any additives or preservatives.

Origin of our Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil
No product is as connected to Styria through its development and production as Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil P.G.I. These regional ties should be preserved in order to protect this typical Styrian specialty. Therefore, the EU-Commission declared "Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil – P.G.I." as a Protected Designation of Origin with article 5 VO (EWG) Nr. 2081/92 in 1996.

With its designation as a product of Protected Designation of Origin, Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil – P.G.I. joins the company of products such as: Prosciutto di Parma, Prosciutto di San Daniele, Greek Feta Cheese and Nürnberger Lebkuchen as one of the most well controlled, elite and exclusive European specialties.

Following the regulation (EG) Nr. 510/2006 the designation "Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil", regulation (EG) Nr. 1263/96, may only be used when the basic product specifications are met, as well as the following criteria:
• The seeds used in pressing must come from pumpkins of the species Cucurbita pepo var. Styriaca.
• The procedure for the pressing of the pumpkin seeds follows traditional methods, meaning the washed and dried seeds are ground, are then slowly and gently heated and finally pressed without the use of any refining procedures.
• The oil must be 100% pure Pumpkin Seed Oil from the first pressing.
• The pressing of the pumpkin seeds takes place an oil press, which is found in the listed Styrian and Burgendlandish districts.

P.G.I. stands for Protected Geographical Indication and guarantees:
• It is guaranteed that the pumpkin seeds originate in a geographically defined region (in Austria)
• Pumpkin seed oil was manufactured in domestic oil mills
• 100% pure pumpkin seed oil from the first pressing

Every export stamp has an individual control number, which ensures you receive the best quality, original Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil P.G.I. Make note of the export stamp, found on the bottle label, when buying Styrian pumpkin seed oil.

What if there is no export stamp on a bottle of Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil?
Styrian pumpkin seed oil found in bottles without an export stamp, available in many super markets, should still carry the P.G.I. EU logo on their label. Otherwise, the Styrian pumpkin seed oil has not been subject to the EU protected designation of origin requirements. This means that the origin of these pumpkin seed oils is not traceable, as is possible with oils bearing the Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil – P.G.I. export stamp.

In order to ensure the high quality of Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil – P.G.I., a stringent system of controls are in place that comprehensively monitor the domestic pumpkin seeds on their way from the field to the oil press and once in the bottle on to the shops’ shelves. Our system of controls depends on the internal controls of each producer in combination with external controls, performed by the producers collective as well as by an accredited external organization. The export stamp, on Schlacher & Söhne’s bottle label, and the presence of an individual control number makes the authenticity of each bottle of Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil – P.G.I. visible to consumers. This way each product can be easily traced from the pumpkin to the pressing location.

Oil quality
The provenance of the pumpkin seeds is one of the most important aspects, which sets Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil – P.G.I. apart from the rest. Most pumpkin seed oils are pressed from seeds grown around the entire world, and so, it is impossible to trace the origins of the seeds used in the oil. Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil – P.G.I. is different; each bottle of pumpkin seed oil is individually numbered on the export seal so that consumers can trace the origins of their oil, from farm to press, in the region of Protected Geographic Indication (P.G.I.).

Pumpkin seed oil that has been mixed with other vegetable oils cannot call itself pumpkin seed oil anymore, but must be labeled as an oil mixture or a salad oil.

Pumpkin seed oil without its typical aroma and where the coloration tends toward brown has nothing to do with the genuine quality of Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil – P.G.I.. The use of shelled, foreign grown pumpkin seeds and the seeds being too hotly roasted results in the poor quality of many pumpkin seed oils.

This much is clear, only Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil – P.G.I. with the export stamp or the P.G.I. EU logo, guarantees that the bottle is filled with 100% Styrian pumpkin seed oil, from the first seed pressing, and the commitment of our producers to fulfill the high standards of this product.