At L'Oro Verde di Puglia, the quality of our olive oil begins not just in the bottle, but at the tree. How we harvest our olives, greatly influences the taste, smell and nutritional value of the final product. In this blog, we show how we proceed with care and dedication during the most important stage of the production process.
The time of harvesting determines the final quality of the oil. Our olives are picked in the months of October and November, when they are perfectly ripe. Not too green, not too ripe - just right. At that time, they contain the ideal balance between fruitiness and bitterness, between oil yield and flavour complexity.
How we harvest our olives is a craft based partly on tradition and partly on close observation of nature. Every tree, every day and every year is different. That's why we rely on experience as well as intuition.
We consciously choose manual harvesting methods. This means that we go through the orchards with small picking teams and carefully collect olives. This way, we prevent damage to the fruit and preserve their natural oils. The difference? Less oxidation, a more intense flavour and a longer shelf life.
Moreover, hand-picking helps us select only the best olives. Damaged or overripe ones are removed on the spot. This increases the purity of the oil and makes the difference between good and exceptional.
Another crucial part of how we harvest our olives is speed. After harvesting, we bring the olives directly to our press. Within 6 to 12 hours of picking, they are processed into fresh olive oil. This way we avoid fermentation and loss of quality, and preserve the vibrant flavour that L'Oro Verde di Puglia is known for.
This approach takes organisation, planning and dedication - but the result is an olive oil that stands out in aroma, colour and character.
How we harvest our olives reflects our philosophy: work with nature, not against it. Our trees get rest after harvesting, the soil is treated with care and our pickers work under fair conditions. We believe that sustainable choices lead to better oil - and a better future for the region we work in.
Want to taste how careful harvesting affects flavour? Then visit our webshop or read more about our approach on the about us page. Every drop tells the story of Puglia, straight from tree to bottle.
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