A product of pond farming with nearly a 1,000 year tradition, Oberpfälzer Karpfen is a variety of mirror carp (Cyprinus carpio), which is cultivated on about 3000 farms in the eastern Bavarian Upper Palatinate province. Thanks to the favorable geographical and climatic conditions, Oberpfalz carp fish grow at a slow rate, which results in an easily digestible lean fish rich in proteins and unsaturated fatty acids.

After reaching the minimum weight of 1,000g, the fish are marketed either fresh or smoked. In southern Germany, carp is traditionally enjoyed as Weihnachtskarpfen, or Christmas carp – breaded deep-fried fillets drizzled with lemon juice and served with potato or cucumber salad and rémoulade.

Inhabiting the pure waters of Lake Constance, or Bodensee as they call it in Germany, fellchen is a type of common white fish whose natural habitat includes Siberian streams and Alpine lakes. With a shade of green or olive down its spine and streaks of bright silver on its sides, this freshwater fish has a long body that reaches up to 50 or 60 cm and is characterized by a fairly solid flesh and very few bones.

Often referred to as märane in Northern Germany and renke in Bavaria, the fish is considered a culinary specialty of the region, celebrated during a food festival that takes place on the German shore, featuring fellchen and other fish from the lake. 

Known affectionately by many as the 'Franconian pond cow', carp is a Franconian national dish. In many areas, carp is bred in ponds and prepared in a number of traditional restaurants, usually either cooked in fat or in fish broth. It is quite popular as a food during Lent.

The fish is very tasty, and can be prepared in many different ways; filleted, steamed for casseroles, boiled in soups, etc. In recent years, carp fillet in the form of crispy 'carp chips' has become a highly sought-after menu item. In honor of the carp, the region of Franconia has even developed a special bike path: the Franconian carp bike path runs through a landscape dotted with carp ponds, and provides cyclists with a great deal of information on fisheries and aquaculture in Franconia.