Greece as a Mediterranean country is also associated with olives and all kinds of preparations from them. Tourists from all over the world delight in their unique taste and aroma. Travelling through Greece, olive fields are a constant feature of the landscape and walking along the charming streets you'll see many different kinds of olive oil and olive products.
What will you learn in this article?
- How old are the olive trees
- When they bear fruit
- When the olive harvest begins
- What colours they take on and what it depends on
- What are their prices in Greek markets and which are the most popular
- What olives symbolize in Mediterranean culture
- Types of olive oil extraction
- Its characteristics and prices
- How to identify quality olive oil
Olives
Olive trees are long-lived plants and can live several hundred years (sometimes even over a thousand years). Although they produce fruit, it is not until the seventh year after planting that they are unfit for consumption. The highest quality olives are not obtained until the thirtieth year of fruiting. The olive season lasts from November to March on average. The month in which they were harvested determines the color of the olive and its flavor. At the initial stage of ripening, the fruit has a dirty green tint. As they age, they turn reddish-purple and reach full maturity turning black. An interesting fact is that in some countries we can find olives in the shade of ivory. The most popular type of olive is Kalamata. They are shiny and dark. They are shaped like almonds and have a slightly fruity taste, so they are the perfect snack. Prices for these and other types of olives at regional markets vary from 1. 40 to 5. 50 euros per kg.
Olive oil
