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Olive harvesting, traditions and production of extra virgin oil

Every year, between October and December, the olive harvest is repeated, which, among traditions and innovations, precedes the production of extra virgin olive oil, one of the products that most represent Italy.

The warm autumn colours are enriched by the silvery green leaves of olive trees ready for the harvest, giving birth to one of the oldest practices in our land.

The tradition of olive harvesting

The olive harvest is the first step in a process that allows to obtain the most appreciated product of the Italian gastronomy: the extra virgin olive oil.

The tradition of harvesting varies from region to region based on various factors, such as climatic conditions and type of cultivar (variety).  For example, when harvesting olives it is different from north to south, where the heat allows you to harvest earlier than in the northern regions. 

The care and attention given at each stage is what creates a common thread between the different areas of the country. There are two main methods of collection, manual and mechanical, although they are described in different ways:

  • Picking – This is the traditional name for olive harvesting, because olives are picked from the branches manually, respecting both the tree and the fruit. In fact, hand-harvesting of olives avoids damaging the olives and allows to produce a higher quality oil;
  • Bagging – It is another traditional olive harvesting technique, but it is less delicate than the bagging because it consists in hitting the branches with poles to make the olives fall on the sheets placed under the trees;
  • Combing – This manual method requires the use of special tools similar to combs able to “comb” the branches and detach the olives from the tree. However, without attention, it risks spoiling the fruits;
  • Scrolling – It is also called shaking and is a very widespread type of collection that allows to reduce the time and costs of collection. Involves the use of mechanical arms that shake trees to drop olives on nets lying on the ground;
  • Mechanical harvesting – The mechanical harvesting uses shaking machines capable of combining scrolling and combing action to collect ripe olives. It is the less traditional technique, but very used in intensive cultivation.

In many areas of Italy, despite the spread of mechanical shaking, there are not few farms and private individuals who continue to follow the manual tradition to obtain an excellent product (but also to recreate a moment of sharing and sociality).

What to do after the olive harvest: production of EVO oil

The olive harvest is the initial stage of EVO oil production. To be considered extra virgin, however, it must be produced exclusively by mechanical and cold processes, without the use of chemical substances. The result is a product with an acidity of less than 0.8%, rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants.

After harvesting, the olives are taken to the mill where they are separated from branches and foliage and washed to remove dust, dirt and various impurities. After that they are ready for grinding or crushing, the phase in which they crush and grind to create a pasty and crude compound called oil paste. 

The oil is extracted from the dough by kneading or kneading, in which helical blades rotate slowly to separate it from the water particles and the dough. In this phase, the processing speed and the temperature of processing (between 20 and 27 degrees) are decisive for the organoleptic profile and durability of the oil.

The final step in oil production is extraction by pressing: the step involves centrifugation or further pressing to separate the oil from the oily compound obtained from the kneading.

After extraction, the oil can be bottled or filtered to remove any residue and obtain a clear product.

EVO oil in Italian cuisine and culture

Extra virgin olive oil is a fundamental ingredient of the Italian cuisine, so much to be considered a symbol of the Mediterranean identity. 

This ingredient gives the dishes a unique, rich and varied taste and enhances their flavors without putting them in the background. In addition, the presence of antioxidants and good fats gives EVO oil healthy properties that make it a valuable ally for well-being

To consider it merely a condiment would be an understatement. In fact, its production is an integral part of the Italian agricultural heritage and reflects the deep link between land and food. Indeed, in the collective Italian imagination, the bottle of oil on the table is a sign of conviviality. 

The main oil producing regions

From the landscape of the Tuscan hills to the sunny lands of Puglia, the oil of each region of Italy has its own identity.  The most important regions in oil production include:

  • Puglia: Apulia alone is responsible for a large share of the oil produced in Italy. Its most famous cultivars include the Ogliarola (Barese and Garganica) and the Coratina that give life to intense and robust oils in the flavor often characterized by spicy aftertaste;
  • Calabria: Calabria is linked to the cultivation of olive trees, from Carolea to Ottobratica. The Calabrian oils have a robust and slightly spicy taste;
  • Sicily: Thanks to the varieties Nocellara del Belìce and Tonda Iblea, products in the volcanic island have different flavors, from the most delicate to fruity ones;
  • Campania: The oils of Campania reflect the generosity of its soil: intense flavor and varied aromatic profile. The most famous varieties include Carpellese and Ortice;
  • Abruzzo: In the context between mountains and sea, the region produces oils with fresh and floral scents that bring to mind the natural environment in which native varieties such as Toccolana grow;
  • Lazio: Lazio is famous for the Sabina DOP oil, one of the oldest and most renowned Italian oils characterized by a soft and fruity taste. Other cultivars include Itrana and Caninese;
  • Tuscany: Tuscany is known for its extra virgin oils with a fruity taste and a spicy aftertaste (often with a hint of bitterness) obtained from varieties such as Leccino and Maurino;
  • Umbria: The olive groves that draw the hilly landscape give life to oils with a fruity and slightly bitter taste thanks to cultivars such as Moraiolo.

Ranking of the best olive oils made in Italy by type of olive

Italy is the world’s second largest producer of extra virgin olive oil and can boast a unique diversity of cultivars, with over hundreds of varieties of olives registered. We offer you some of the best Italian oils taken directly from the guide “Oli d’Italia 2024” of Gambero Rosso:

Monocultivar Coratina

  • Puglia – 0I Monocultivar Coratina 2023 by Nicole Schiralli
  • Puglia – 100 Grand Cru Monocultivar Coratina 2023 from the oil mill Congedi
  • Puglia – Absolute Monocultivar Coratina 2023 by Cataldo Caputo
  • Puglia – Chiaroscuro Monocultivar Coratina 2023 by De Robertis
  • Puglia -Coppadoro Monocultivar Coratina 2023 by Ciccolella
  • Campania – Crux Monocultivar Coratina Bio 2023 by Fattoria Ambrosio
  • Basilicata Deciso Monocultivar Coratina 2023 by Fratelli Carbone
  • Puglia – Francigeno Monocultivar Coratina Bio 2023 by Suberito
  • Puglia – Giacomì Monocultivar Coratina 2023 by Masseria Pezze Galere
  • Puglia – Gran Cru Tenuta Macchia di Rose Monocultivar Coratina 2023 from Frantoio Muraglia 
  • Puglia – Gran Pregio Monocultivar Coratina Bio 2023 produced by Maria Caputo
  • Puglia – The great oils Monocultivar Coratina 2023 of Uliveto Scisci
  • Puglia – Monocultivar Coratina Bio 2023 by Luigi Medina
  • Abruzzo – Majia Monocultivar Coratina 2023 by Cascina Bruno 
  • Puglia – Maximum Monocultivar Coratina Bio 2023 from Trotta
  • Puglia – Monocultivar Coratina 2023 by Di Molfetta Pantaleo
  • Puglia – Monocultivar Coratina 2023 by Lolù
  • Puglia – Monocultivar Coratina 2023 produced by Olio Intini
  • Puglia – Monocultivar Coratina 2023 by Savino Montanaro
  • Puglia – Monocultivar Coratina Bio 2023 produced by Tenute Donna Vittoria
  • Puglia – Monocultivar Coratina Bio 2023 by Adriatica Vivai
  • Puglia – Monocultivar Coratina Bio 2023 from Podere Verdegilda
  • Puglia – Monocultivar Coratina Bio 2023 produced by Agrimaggiore
  • Puglia – Monocultivar Coratina Bio 2023 from Torreriviera
  • Puglia – Natyoure Gold Monocultivar Coratina Bio 2023 from Oil Mill Domenica Mossa
  • Puglia – Origin Monocultivar Coratina Bio 2023 of Agrifoglio Amodobio
  • Puglia – Posta Locone Monocultivar Coratina 2023 of the Ferrara Brothers
  • Puglia – Pure Monocultivar Coratina 2023 by Lamafà
  • Puglia – Schinosa Monocultivar Coratina 2023 by Di Martino
  • Puglia – Zero 1 Monocultivar Coratina 2023 produced by Lamantea

Monocultivar Frantoio

  • Tuscany – Monocultivar Mill 2023 by Le Mortinete
  • Tuscany – Monocultivar Olive Mill Bio 2023 of the Pruneti Olive Mill
  • Tuscany – Monocultivar Bio Oil Mill 2023 from Fattoria Ramerino
  • Veneto – Riva Jacur Monocultivar Oil Mill 2023 by Luciano Breda

Monocultivar Leccino

  • Tuscany – The Single-Celler Monocultivar Leccino Bio 2023 by Tenuta Querciamatta
  • Lazio – Monocultivar Leccino 2023 by Roberta Marcoaldi

Monocultivar Nocellara Etnea

  • Sicily – Monocultivar Nocellara Etnea Bio 2023 by Rosario Lupo

Monocultivar Nocellara del Belìce

  • Calabria – Monocultivar Nocellara del Belìce Bio 2023 by Tenute Librandi Pasquale

Monocultivar Carolea

  • Calabria – Deciso Monocultivar Carolea Bio 2023 by Enotre
  • Calabria – Monocultivar Carolea 2023 from the Dianto Mill

Monocultivar Acerenza

  • Basilicata – “Rare Oils” Acherolio Millenium Monocultivar Acerenza 2023 by RARANATURA

Monocultivar Itrana

  • Campania – Alter Ego Monocultivar Itrana 2023 by Nicolangelo Marsicani
  • Lazio – Monocultivar Itrana 2023 by Sandra Lisi
  • Lazio – Monocultivar Itrana 2023 produced by Cantina Sant’Andrea
  • Lazio – Monocultivar Itrana Bio 2023 by Paola Orsini
  • Lazio – Monocultivar Musino oil Itrana 2023 produced by Skygreen

Monocultivar Bosana

  • Sardinia – Ancient Olive Groves of the Prato Monocultivar Bosana 2023 produced by F.lli Pinna

Monocultivar Vittoria

  • Umbria – Chiusa di Satriano Monocultivar Vittoria 2023 by Antonelli San Marco

Monocultivar Moraiolo

  • Umbria – Locks of Sant’Arcangelo Monocultivar Moraiolo Bio 2023 of the Gaudenzi Oil Mill
  • Umbria – The Sincere Monocultivar Moraiolo 2023 by Viola
  • Umbria – L’Affiorante Monocultivar Moraiolo Bio 2023 produced by Marfuga
  • Umbria – Monocultivar Moraiolo 2023 by Agricola Locci

Monocultivar Caninese

  • Lazio – CIsterna 31 Monocultivar Caninese 2023 produced by Bernardo Mazzeranghi
  • Lazio – Monocultivar Caninese Bio 2023 by Podere Tiberi
  • Lazio – Supremo Degà Monocultivar Caninese Bio 2023 by Andrea Degiovanni

Monocultivar Crognalegno

  • Abruzzo – Crognale Monocultivar Crognalegno 2023 by Tommaso Masciantonio – Trappeto di Caprafico

Monocultivar Ortice

  • Campania – Cuore d’Ortice Monocultivar Ortice Bio 2023 di Torre a Oriente

Monocultivar Maurino

  • Tuscany – Delicate Monocultivar Maurino 2023 from the Frantoio Franci
  • Tuscany – Reflections Monocultivar Maurino 2023 of Foiano Spring

Monocultivar Cerasuola

  • Sicily – Monocultivar Cerasuola 2023 produced by Mandranova
  • Sicily – Monocultivar Cerasuola Bio 2023 from Feudo Disisa

Monocultivar Ascolana Tenera

  • Marche – Frà Bernardo Monocultivar Ascolana Tenera Bio 2023 from Il Conventino Monteciccardo
  • Marche – Monocultivar Ascolana Tenera 2023 produced by Olive Gregori
  • Brands – Spalià Monocultivar Ascolana Tenera 2023 from L’Olivaio

Monocultivar Tonda Iblea

  • Sicily – U Principi Monocultivar Tonda Iblea 2023 by Suoru Maria
  • Sicily – Villa Zottopera Monocultivar Tonda Iblea Bio 2023 by Rosso
  • Sicilia – Zahara Monocultivar Tonda Iblea 2023 from the Guccione Olive Oil Mill

Monocultivar Gentile di Larino

  • Molise – The Cipresso Monocultivar Gentile of Larino 2023 by Terre del Gusto

Monocultivar Taggiasca

  • Liguria – Extremum Monocultivar Taggiasca Bio 2023 by Paolo Cassini

Monocultivar Nera di Oliena

  • Sardinia – Iliò Monocultivar Nera di Oliena 2023 by Olivicoltori di Oliena

Monocultivar Picholine

  • Puglia – Futura Monocultivar Picholine 2023 by Oilivis
  • Puglia – Monocultivar Picholine 2023 by D’Orazio
  • Puglia – Monocultivar Picholine 2023 by Monsignore

 Monocultivar Raggia

  • Brands – Drops of Crusher Monocultivar Raggia Bio 2023 by Barbara Pacioni

    Monocultivar Rasara

  • Veneto – Moonlight Monocultivar Rasara 2023 from the Frantoio Evo del Borgo mill

Monocultivar Carpellese

  • Campania – Talisman Monocultivar Carpellese Bio 2023 produced by Marco Rizzo
  • Campania – Verbio Monocultivar Carpellese Bio 2023 of Sole di Cajani

Monocultivar Peranzana

  • Puglia – Mimì Monocultivar Peranzana 2023 by Donato Conserva 
  • Puglia – Monocultivar Peranzana Bio 2023 produced by Podere Serraglio
  • Molise – Montesecco Monocultivar Peranzana Bio 2023 produced by Andrea Caterina

    Monocultivar Dritta

  • Abruzzo – L’Uomo di Ferro Monocultivar Dritta 2023 produced by Marina Palusci

    Monocultivar Ottobratica

  • Calabria – The Ottobratico Monocultivar Ottobratica 2023 of Olearia San Giorgio

Monocultivar Pennulara

  • Calabria – Jannìa Monocultivar Pennulara 2023 by Angelo Oliverio

Monocultivar Aurina

  • Molise – Licinius Aurum Monocultivar Aurina 2023 by Ernesto Di Muccio

Monocultivar Correggiolo

  • Tuscany – Monocultivar Correggiolo 2023 produced by Marzocco di Poppiano
  • Tuscany – Monocultivar Correggiolo 2023 by Fèlsina

Monocultivar Lazzero 

  • Tuscany – Lazzaro Monocultivar Lazzero Bio 2023 by Fop
  • Tuscany – Monocultivar Lazzero 2023 from Podere Il Montaleo

Monocultivar Moresca 

  • Sicilia – Monocultivar Moresca 2023 from the Galioto Oil Mill

Monocultivar Razzola 

  • Liguria – Monocultivar Razzola 2023 produced by Belfiore

Monocultivar Toccolana

  • Abruzzo – Monocultivar Toccolana 2023 by Sant’Eustachio
  • Abruzzo – Monocultivar Toccolana Bio 2023 produced by Giardini di Giulio
  • Abruzzo – Mormay Monocultivar Toccolana Bio 2023 from Tocco d’Italy

Monocultivar Roggianella 

  • Calabria – Nonno Peppe Monocultivar Roggianella 2023 produced by Domenico Rotella

Monocultivar Bella di Cerignola 

  • Abruzzo – Oliva Grossa Monocultivar Bella di Cerignola 2023 produced by La Selvotta

Monocultivar Colombaia

  • Liguria – Pria Grossa Monocultivar Colombaia 2023 produced by Domenico Ruffino

Monocultivar Cipressino 

  • Trentino Alto Adige – Tomanél Monocultivar Cipressino 2023 by Francesco Mandelli

Monocultivar Casaliva

  • Lombardy – Monocultivar Casaliva Bio 2023 by Videlle Bionatura

Monocultivar Orbetana

  • Marche – Monocultivar Orbetana Bio 2023 del Frantoio L’Olinda

IGP 

  • Sicily – Cherubino Igp Sicilia Monocultivar Nocellara Etnea Bio 2023 by Terraliva
  • Sicily – Platinum leaves Sicilian Monocultivar Biancolilla Premier Cru Bio 2023 by Vincenzo Signorelli
  • Puglia – Oil of Puglia 2023 Igp by De Carlo
  • Puglia – Igp Monocultivar Coratina 2023 oil produced by Di Niso
  • Sicilia – Igp Sicilia Monocultivar Tonda Iblea 2023 by Agrestis
  • Tuscany – Igp Toscano Colline di Firenze Monocultivar Moraiolo Bio 2023 by La Gramigna
  • Tuscany – Igp Toscano Monocultivar Pendolino Bio 2023 from Tenuta La Poggiona
  • Sicily – Tenuta Vasadonna Igp Sicilia Monocultivar Nocellara Messinese Bio 2023 produced by Fattoria Sant’Anastasia
  • Sicilia – Green Organic Sicily IGP 2023 by Miceli & Sensat

DOP 

  • Sicily – Houses of Latomie Dop Valle del Belìce Monocultivar Nocellara del Belìce 2023 by Antonino Centonze
  • Calabria – Dea Dop Lametia Monocultivar Carolea 2023 produced by the Consortium for the Protection of Oil Evo Dop Lametia
  • Puglia – Don Gioacchino Dop Terra di Bari Castel del Monte Monocultivar Coratina 2023 by Sabino Leone
  • Tuscany – DOP Chianti Classico 2023 produced by I Tattoli
  • Tuscany – Dop Chianti Classico 2023 by Dievole
  • Tuscany – Organic Chianti Classico 2023 DOP by Fontodi 
  • Tuscany – Organic Chianti Classico 2023 from La Sala del Torriano
  • Tuscany – DOP Chianti Classico Monocultivar Olive Oil Organic 2023 by Principe Corsini – Villa Le Corti
  • Lazio – Dop Colline Pontine Monocultivar Itrana 2023 by Agresti 1902
  • Lazio – Dop Colline Pontine Monocultivar Itrana 2023 by Alfredo Centrone
  • Trentino Alto Adige – Dop Garda Trentino 2023 produced by OlioCRU 
  • Campania – DOP Irpinia Colline dell’Ufita 2023 by Fam Oil Mill
  • Sardinia – Monocultivar Bosana Bio 2023 by Antonello Fois
  • Umbria – DOP Umbria Colli del Trasimeno Bio 2023 by CM – Centumbrie
  • Umbria – DOP Umbria Orvietani Hills 2023 di – Tor di Monte
  • Sicily – Monocultivar Cerasuola Bio 2023 by Titone
  • Veneto – Valpolicella Bio 2023 by Luigi Ruffo
  • Sicily – Firrisa Dop Monti Iblei – Val D’Anapo Monocultivar Tonda Iblea Bio 2023 produced by Tenuta Cavasecca
  • Tuscany – Fonterutoli Dop Chianti Classico 2023 di Castello di Fonterutoli
  • Sicily – I Muri Dop Monti Iblei subzona Frigintini 2023 di Frantoi Covato
  • Sicily – The Distinguished Dop Monti Iblei – Gulfi Monocultivar Tonda Iblea Bio 2023 of Tenuta Chiaromonte
  • Puglia – Le Fronde Gocciadoro Dop Dauno Monocultivar Ogliarola Garganica Bio 2023 by Elia Caprioli
  • Tuscany – Farm Revenue Dop Terre di Siena Bio 2023 by -Maria Pia Buoni or Del Buono
  • Umbria – Oil of the Duke Dop Colli del Trasimeno 2023 by Coop. Pozzuolese Olive Oil
  • Sicily – Polifemo Dop Monti Iblei Monocultivar Tonda Iblea 2023 by Viragì
  • Sicily – Primo Dop Monti Iblei Monocultivar Tonda Iblea 2023 by Frantoi Cutrera
  • Tuscany – Querciavalle Dop Chianti Classico Monocultivar Correggiolo 2023 by Losi
  • Sicily – Qulfe Dop Monti Iblei Gulfi Monocultivar Tonda Iblea Bio 2023 of Terre sul Dirillo
  • Campania – Ramarà Dop Cilento 2023 produced by Piero Matarazzo
  • Abruzzo – Regina Dop Aprutino Pescarese 2023 of the Timando De Juliis Mill
  • Sardinia – Producer’s reserve Dop Sardegna 2023 of Accademia Olearia
  • Trentino Alto Adige – Ulìva Dop Garda Trentino Monocultivar Casaliva 2023 produced by Frantoi di Riva
  • Emilia Romagna – Vargnano Dop Brisighella Monocultivar Nostrana di Brisighella 2023 di Palazzo di Varignana

 Oli di oliva senza indicazioni cultivar

  • Tuscany – 1979 Bio 2023 by Balduccio
  • Umbria – Family Collection 2023 by Farchioni Olii
  • Sicily – Contrada Scintilia Bio 2023 by Francesco Di Mino
  • Calabria – Corbiò Bio 2023 by Olearia Geraci
  • Sardinia – Cuncordu Bio 2023 by Masoni Becciu
  • Calabria – Dolciterre Rosi 2023 by Sorelle Garzo
  • Umbria – Emotion 2023 by Decimi
  • Campania – East 2023 of Tenuta SantiQuaranta
  • Campania – Fortuno Bio 2023 by Maria Mazzeo
  • Veneto – Francesco 2023 by La Contarina
  • Lazio – Ancient Tuscia Bio 2023 by Frantoio Battaglini
  • Sardinia – Fruity Middle 2023 by Eredi Giuseppe Fois
  • Veneto – Green Selection 2023 produced by Frantoio di Cornoleda
  • Calabria – Pasquale Labonia’s 2023 Blend
  • Umbria – The Classic 2023 of La Gioia
  • Sicily – The 2023 Leap of Tenuta Giannone
  • Tuscany – Bio 2023 Bellandi Collection
  • Tuscany – Laudemio 2023 by Francescobaldi
  • Tuscany – Laudemio Bio 2023 from Fattoria di Volmiano
  • Calabria – M. Elodia 2023 by Elodia Severini
  • Molise – Molensis XXV 2023 by Marina Colonna
  • Abruzzo – Ninfa Bio 2023 by Frantoio Mercurius
  • Umbria – Oblivion 2023 by Frantoio Loreti
  • Puglia – Oil of the Valley 2023 – Eralda Agalliu
  • Veneto – 2023 Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Colle d’Oro sul Lago
  • Calabria -Extra Virgin Olive Oil 2023 from Oleificio Torchia
  • Sicily – Extra Virgin Olive Oil Bio 2023 from Greco
  • Tuscany – Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil 2023 from Fattoria Triboli
  • Puglia – Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil 2023 produced by Tenuta Venterra
  • Abruzzo – Oil Sapiens 2023 by Occhiocupo
  • Calabria – Organic Bio 2023 by Christian Estates
  • Umbria – Giano Basilio 2023 gold by Agricadd
  • Calabria – Orolio Limited Edition 2023 of the F.lli Renzo
  • Tuscany – Plenum Bio 2023 of Fattoria di Poggiopiano
  • Tuscany – 2023 Crusc Oil Mill Reserve
  • Lazio – Rosalena 2023 by DueNoveSei
  • Puglia – 2023 selection of Le Ferre
  • Marche – Selection Sublìmis 2023 by Frantoio Agostini
  • Puglia – Sovereign of Trisole 2023 from Il Frantolio
  • Lazio – Super Bio 2023 by Americo Quatrociocchi
  • Liguria – Taggiotto 2023 by Olio Pedro
  • Lombardy – The One 2023 by Comincioli
  • Basilicata – Titolio Bio 2023 by Elena Fucci
  • Puglia – Ulivè Grand Cru 2023 by Emmanuel Sanarica
  • Umbria – Vigiù 2023 of Frantoio del Colle

Copertina : Unsplash

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