Tim Jepson
Daily Telegraph
Olive Oil
The story of Olive Oil
Italy is renowned throughout the world for the high quality of its olive oil, and rightly so. Some of the best of this olive oil comes from the Tuscany region, with single estate bottled oil being the most highly prized, and the most expensive.
The soil, type of tree grown, amount of sunshine and for that matter the amount of rain during the growing season all play their part in determining the flavour of the oil. A variety of olive trees are grown in Italy each with their own particular characteristics. The majority of the olive trees grown in Tuscany are Frantoio, Leccino, Pendolio, Maurino, Moraiolo and Taggiasca. The best type of soil to plant them in is clay or good loamy soil with plenty of drainage, although it is true that olive trees can still thrive in difficult conditions there is no guarantee of a reliable crop each year. It is essential that the trees have good irrigation throughout the growing season in order to maximise their yield. Olives crop, on the previous year’s growth; therefore, annual pruning is essential for maintaining the health of the tree, ensuring an annual crop and encouraging an even fruit set throughout the tree.
Olives are picked by hand as this causes the least damage to the fruit; they are then washed to remove any dirt and dust. Then within 24 to 48 hours of being harvested the olives, including the skin and stones are http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Joico1fLS4c crushed into a pulp by stone mill or metal grinder. This pulp is then pressed using a traditional wooden press or a modern hydraulic one. This is the first pressing and strict guidelines must be adhered to during this process. In order to label a bottle “first cold pressing” or in the case of an industrial process “cold extraction” EU guidelines state that the olives must be pressed at a temperature below 27degrees.
Perhaps the most skilled part of the process, is deciding when to harvest the olives, as this determines the flavour and taste. Picked too soon or too late the acidity of the fruit will not be right and will affect the quality and flavour of the oil. Extra virgin olive oil must have an acidity level of less than 1 percent. The Italian Government has introduced protected designation of origin labels for its olive oils DOP. In addition to this, olive oil from the Chianti region has a special quality assurance label of denomination of controlled origin DOC.
It is quite normal for an extra virgin olive oil to have some sediment at the bottom of the bottle; this is because many of the oils have not been filtered after pressing in order to retain maximum flavour. Once bottled, the oil should be stored away from direct sunlight and should not be exposed to extremes of temperature, a cool pantry or cellar is ideal. Once opened the oil should be used within a year or by the consume by date on the label, although it is so delicious it is unlikely to last that long! For tips on how to taste olive oil click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7dokETktnY&feature=related
Olive oil, in particular the pure extra virgin olive oil is a powerful antioxidant, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antioxidants containing monounsaturated fats, these are the good fats which can help reduce cholesterol levels, which is not only good for our hearts but also our general well being.
In addition to all of the health benefits to be found in olive oil, it is also widely used in cosmetics, both in manufactured and natural products. It is used mixed with essential oils in moisturisers and has a long tradition of use in high quality soaps.
In addition to all of the health benefits to be found in olive oil, it is also widely used in cosmetics, both in manufactured and natural products. It is used mixed with essential oils in moisturisers and has a long tradition of use in high quality soaps.
To Tuscany would be delighted to welcome anyone wishing to take part in the olive harvest or witness the season first hand, particularly at the hamlets of Montebuoni and Montefiorile, where To Tuscany pick the olives growing in and around both of these hamlets, and take them to our neighbours at the vineyard Casanuova di Ama, who in turn take them to be cold pressed in Volterra, after which the oil is then bottled.
You might also be interested to look at Villa Olga, an 18th Century villa in San Casciano, twenty minutes from Florence that still has its original mill stone for grinding the olives.
Ten things you should know about olive oil
1 - Just like wine, olive oils are awarded different labels and grades depending on their taste, production methods, origin and chemistry. For example, in Italy the same labels as wine are awarded to olive oils: ‘Protected denomination of origin’ (DOC) and ‘denomination of controlled origin’ labels (DOCG).
2 - Olive oils are classified by taste through a blind taste test, which is carried out by a panel of professional tasters.
3 - When you buy ‘Extra Virgin’ olive oil, this means it is produced without the use of any chemicals, contains no more than 0.8% acidity and is judged to have a superior taste. Virgin olive oil is also produced solely by the use of physical means and its acidity is less than 2%, with a good taste.
4 - Research suggests that eating around 2tbsp of (virgin or extra virgin) olive oil a day can improve cholesterol regulation, reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and it has even been linked to prevention of cancer. This is because it is packed with anti-oxidants and has a high content of mono-saturated fatty acids.
5 - Olive oil is the only vegetable oil that can be consumed freshly pressed from the fruit, without the use of solvents.
6 - Some of the world’s best extra virgin olive oil comes from the Chianti region of Tuscany where single estate bottled oils are the most sought after and expensive of all. For a first-hand experience, it is possible to stay in a villa in Tuscany where this type of oil is produced from olive trees on the grounds.
7 -The olive harvest needs to be timed perfectly to ensure the acidity levels are just right for it to be graded as extra virgin.
8 - Cold pressed olive oil means the olive pulp created during the olive production process is pressed below 27 degrees to ensure the minimum flavour is lost. It is of better quality than olive oil that has not been cold pressed.
9 - Light, heat and air reduce the quality of olive oil, so it is best kept in a sealed, tinted glass bottle and stored in a cool place.
10 - Unlike wine, olive oil does not get better with age. Good quality olive oil should be used within a year. Lower grade oils only have a shelf life of a few months.
1 - Just like wine, olive oils are awarded different labels and grades depending on their taste, production methods, origin and chemistry. For example, in Italy the same labels as wine are awarded to olive oils: ‘Protected denomination of origin’ (DOC) and ‘denomination of controlled origin’ labels (DOCG).
2 - Olive oils are classified by taste through a blind taste test, which is carried out by a panel of professional tasters.
3 - When you buy ‘Extra Virgin’ olive oil, this means it is produced without the use of any chemicals, contains no more than 0.8% acidity and is judged to have a superior taste. Virgin olive oil is also produced solely by the use of physical means and its acidity is less than 2%, with a good taste.
4 - Research suggests that eating around 2tbsp of (virgin or extra virgin) olive oil a day can improve cholesterol regulation, reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and it has even been linked to prevention of cancer. This is because it is packed with anti-oxidants and has a high content of mono-saturated fatty acids.
5 - Olive oil is the only vegetable oil that can be consumed freshly pressed from the fruit, without the use of solvents.
6 - Some of the world’s best extra virgin olive oil comes from the Chianti region of Tuscany where single estate bottled oils are the most sought after and expensive of all. For a first-hand experience, it is possible to stay in a villa in Tuscany where this type of oil is produced from olive trees on the grounds.
7 -The olive harvest needs to be timed perfectly to ensure the acidity levels are just right for it to be graded as extra virgin.
8 - Cold pressed olive oil means the olive pulp created during the olive production process is pressed below 27 degrees to ensure the minimum flavour is lost. It is of better quality than olive oil that has not been cold pressed.
9 - Light, heat and air reduce the quality of olive oil, so it is best kept in a sealed, tinted glass bottle and stored in a cool place.
10 - Unlike wine, olive oil does not get better with age. Good quality olive oil should be used within a year. Lower grade oils only have a shelf life of a few months.
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BBC - Security Correspondent
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