There is no doubt that olive oil is one of the greatest delicacies. There is a reason this product, which has been part of Mediterranean cuisine for centuries, is known as "liquid gold". Even so, there are quite a few varieties worth knowing, whether to identify the type of olive or the level of quality. With this in mind, in this article we set out to explain the differences between gourmet olive oil and other types. We can tell you now that gourmet oil is the highest quality and has a remarkable purity. Factors such as how ripe the olives are, how they are harvested and the elements involved in extracting and making the final product all play a part. Let's look at these in more detail.
What is gourmet olive oil?
Hand-harvesting the olives As you probably know, the term "gourmet" sets the highest-quality food products apart from the rest. In the case of gourmet olive oil, its differences make it one of the key ingredients in haute cuisine, especially in the countries around the Mediterranean, where olive growing is widespread and one of the main sources of agricultural income. To achieve its distinctive characteristics, these elements need to be looked after:
- The timing of the harvest, which falls in autumn in the northern hemisphere. The exact date, which determines how ripe the olives are, has a direct effect on acidity, which in this case is minimal.
- How the olives are harvested. This is one of the main differences of gourmet AOVE, as its olives must be picked straight from the tree, never from the ground. Although this may seem strange at first, there is a reason for it. Olives gathered from the ground have come into contact with soil or stones that damage their skin. That is why hand-picking is recommended: it also avoids rubbing against the branches and makes it possible to select the olives in the best condition. It is one more example of how quality products need a meticulous process.
- The making. Another key point is that the oil is extracted just a few hours after harvesting, using a traditional crushing system with no heavy machinery involved. Temperature also matters, as the fruit must be cool to preserve its beneficial properties.
How can you tell it apart when buying and tasting it?
Once we have the final product, you can find for yourself the differences in flavour and appearance that set gourmet olive oil apart from others:
- Gourmet olive oil has a much more intense and fruity flavour than refined oils.
- You can tell how intense it is from the slight tingle it leaves on the tongue and palate.
- In appearance, this type of AOVE stands out for its bright yellow-green colour, quite different from what we usually see in standard oils.
- Packaging also helps when identifying a gourmet oil. Not only because it is much more carefully designed, with special designs as part of the marketing, but also because the container must be opaque to preserve the oil's organoleptic and chemical qualities and prevent oxidation from exposure to light.
Traditional extraction using capachos (woven mats)
What sets La Matilla's gourmet oil apart in the making
At Aceites La Matilla, as part of the conditions for producing olive oil of the highest quality, we have our own system that guarantees a unique product. To begin with, we grow the olives and extract the oil on our own estate, so that it goes straight from there to your table. Here is the process, step by step:
- We have 40 hectares of olive trees, where we select and hand-pick the best olives.
- Harvesting takes place at the start of autumn, between late September and early October. This is key, because picking the olives while they are still early-ripening gives the oil a flavour unique among AOVE oils. As for the time of day, ideally it takes place before dawn or in the early hours of the morning, so that the fruit is cool.
- No more than six hours should pass between harvesting and pressing at the mill. The system used, following traditional techniques that have been in use for centuries, is pressing with capachos.
- Bottling, of course, is also done by hand. Only through this meticulous process can we achieve excellence in the final product.
As for the type of olive, Arbequina is the main variety on our estate, although we also grow Picual, Hojiblanca and Arbosana. If you would like to try the flavour and qualities of each one, we invite you to discover them in our online shop for gourmet olive oil.
