Experience Travel Inspiration
Practicing Mindful Eating with the Extraordinary Value of Styrian Agricultural Products
by Long Lin-Maurer • February 7, 2025
Mindful eating invites us to slow down, savor each bite, and develop a deeper connection with the food we eat. When paired with high-quality, locally sourced ingredients like Styrian agricultural products, the practice becomes even more rewarding. Let’s explore how to embrace mindful eating and why Styrian products make an exceptional choice.
What is mindful eating?
Mindful eating is the practice of paying full attention to your eating experience without judgment. It involves:
Appreciating your food
Noticing its colors, textures, and aromas.
Chewing slowly
Savoring each bite to fully experience the flavors.
Listening to your body
Recognizing hunger and fullness cues to avoid overeating
Engaging all senses
Making meals a multi-sensory experience rather than a mere necessity.
By practicing mindful eating, you can reduce stress, improve digestion, and foster a healthier relationship with food.
The Unique Qualities Of East Styrian Agricultural Products
Nestled in the heart of Austria, Styria boasts a rich agricultural heritage. Its products are celebrated for their superior quality, flavor, and sustainability. Here are some key highlights:
Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil (Kürbiskernöl) and oil mills
This dark green, nutty oil is a Styrian specialty, rich in healthy fats, antioxidants, and vitamins. It’s perfect for drizzling over salads, soups, or even desserts. Incorporating pumpkin seed oil into your meals adds a distinct flavor while promoting heart health and reducing inflammation.
Other than just Pumpkin Seed Oil, East Styria is home to some high-quality family own oil mills producing high-quality, cold-pressed and single-variety vegetable oils for decades.
One of them is Fandler. Founded in 1926 the company is now run by its fourth generation. Fandler attaches great importance to quality and sustainability. The first oils were pressed from controlled organic raw materials as early as 1987, making the company a pioneer in this field.
The assortment range includes a variety of more than 24 different oils, including poppy seed oil, peanut oil, pumpkin seed oil, cameline oil, chia oil, safflower oil, hemp oil, hazelnut oil, linseed oil, macadamia nut oil, almond oil, oiive oil, sesame oil, grapeseed oil and many many more, which is valued for its nutty taste.
Styrian Apples, Cider & Hirsch Pear and Cider of Volcano Land, Pöllau Valley
Known as the Austrian Fruit Garden – East Styria is known as Austria’s “apple country.” Its crisp, flavorful apples and artisanal cider are prized for their natural sweetness and balance. Apples make an excellent snack, while cider can elevate a meal with its refreshing tang. Additionally, only in Pöllau Valley: The Hirschbirne is an old Styrian variety of pear which main cultivation area remains in the beautiful nature park Pöllau Valley, in the Eastern Styria.
Wine and Vineyards
East Styria’s rolling hills with its volcanic soils is known for its world-class wines and diverse grape varieties. Many small wine islands characterize the Volcano Land Stryria wine-growing region with unique locations on the slopes of extinct volcanoes, which give the landscape its unique character. The vineyards are cultivated in concentrated form around Klöch, St. Anna am Aigen and Straden. One grape variety has a special flair: the highly aromatic Traminer. The preferred form of marketing: Buschenschank.
Otherwise Volcano Land is particularly popular for its white varieties like Sauvignon Blanc and Welschriesling. Over 90 wine-growing families cultivate an impressive variety of wines on around 1,524 hectares of vineyards. Enjoying a glass of Volcano Land Styrian wine with a meal enhances the dining experience and encourages savoring each sip mindfully.
Organic Vegetables and Fruits
Locally grown, seasonal produce from Styria provides an explosion of flavors and nutrients. From sun-ripened tomatoes to vibrant peppers, these ingredients turn every meal into a celebration of nature’s bounty.
Dairy Products
Styrian cheeses, yogurts, and other dairy products are crafted using traditional methods, resulting in rich, creamy textures and bold flavors. Pairing these with fresh bread or fruits creates a delightful snack or appetizer.
How To Practice Mindful Eating With Styrian Products
Set the Scene
Create a calm, distraction-free environment. Turn off the TV, put away your phone, and focus on your meal.
Engage Your Senses
Before taking a bite, observe the colors, shapes, and presentation of your food. Notice the earthy aroma of Styrian pumpkin seed oil or the crisp scent of fresh apples.
Chew Slowly
Take small bites and chew thoroughly. Savor the nutty undertones of pumpkin seed oil drizzled on salad or the creamy richness of Styrian cheese.
Express Gratitude
Acknowledge the effort of farmers and producers who cultivated the food. Appreciate the journey it took to reach your plate.
Listen to Your Body
Eat until you’re satisfied, not stuffed. Let your body’s natural signals guide your portions and pace.
Learn to pair or prepare your meal with high qualitative oil
Take a guided tour in oil mill like Fandler and explore how to prepare your mindful meals.
Benefits Of Combining Mindful Eating With Styrian Products
When you pair mindful eating with Styrian agricultural products, you amplify the experience and health benefits. You’ll:
Support sustainable practices: By choosing local, high-quality products, you contribute to environmentally friendly farming and local economies.
Deepen your appreciation for food: Knowing the story behind Styrian products fosters a greater sense of connection and gratitude.
Enhance your palate: The exceptional flavors of Styrian ingredients make each bite more enjoyable.