ItalianNotebook – Italy Travel Blog
  • Places
  • Events
  • Food & Wine
  • Art & Archaeology
  • Local Interest
Trending Now
Pistachio Panna Cotta
Authentic Italian Pizza: DOUGHn’t You Love It?!
Money Makes the World Go Round
Recipes: Pasta con Pomodoro e Basilico
Christmas in Italy
SEAs The Day
Italian Houses for Different Personalities
Italy from a Local’s Viewpoint
Which Italian Sports Car Would You Go For?
ESPRESS-o Yourself
ItalianNotebook – Italy Travel Blog
  • Places
  • Events
  • Food & Wine
  • Art & Archaeology
  • Local Interest
Local Interest

Puglia + Olive Oil = An Ancient Relationship!

by Mary Jane Cryan July 20, 2015
written by Mary Jane Cryan July 20, 2015

60 Million Olive Trees… One for Each of Italy’s 60 Million People… But Who’s Counting?

Puglia’s relationship with olive trees dates back 2700 years. 50-60 million trees (no one knows for sure) – including ancient, gnarled trees, called “ulivi secolari” (literally centuries-old olive trees)- attest to the long standing importance of olive trees here.

Photo - Victoria De Maio

You may have thought that most of Italy’s olive oil came from Tuscany or Sicily but, in fact, more comes from Puglia than any other region – approximately 40%. In addition to quantity, Puglia’s olive oil is considered to be some of the most palatable in the world for its digestibility and high vitamin content.  Puglia also has the distinction of having four Denominazione di Origine Protetta areas. The envy of other regions, prized trees were once stolen in the dark of night! (Today, laws protecting the illegal appropriation of trees are enforced.)

Azienda Agricola Taurino, in Squinzano (near Lecce), is typical of a family owned/operated farm. In 1985, siblings Donato and Rosaria joined their parents and expanded their farm to 150 hectares of olive trees. The family takes pride in “hands on” oversight of  every stage of production from growth to processing of the olives to ensure that the highest standards and guidelines are followed.

Photo - Victoria De Maio

Utilizing the latest technology in a spotlessly clean facility, the entire process is carefully supervised to ensure the highest quality, organic oil.  After a very informative guided tour, learn how to taste organic extra virgin olive oil (hint: it’s a version of swirl+smell+sip+swallow).

Photo - Victoria De Maio
Photo - Victoria De Maio

If you visit in October during harvest it’s a special time celebrated with traditional local festivities including dancing the pizzica under the ancient olive trees!

You can take a little bit of Puglia home with you and you can also Adopt-a-Tree and enjoy your own olive oil! Doesn’t that sound delicious ?

Photo - Victoria De Maio

0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Mary Jane Cryan

previous post
Umbrian Lentil Soup
next post
Reflection on the Hill of Hell

Related Posts

Pistachio Panna Cotta

January 15, 2021

Christmas in Italy

December 23, 2020

SEAs The Day

December 20, 2020

Italy from a Local’s Viewpoint

December 10, 2020

ESPRESS-o Yourself

December 3, 2020

Inside the Italian Military

December 1, 2020

Why Italian Fashion Brands are the Best

November 27, 2020

Must Try Italian Seafood Recipes

November 24, 2020

StayAssisi – Il Nido Tranquillo

September 30, 2020

Palazzo Reale

July 30, 2020

Instagram

Popular Posts

  • 1

    Il Parco dei Mostri di Bomarzo

    May 4, 2010
  • 2

    The Girlfriends “But We Don’t Do It That Way” Fried Zucchini Flower Recipe

    September 30, 2018
  • 3

    Sardella: Calabrian Caviar

    June 26, 2013

Categories

  • Art & Archaeology (22)
  • Events (21)
  • Food & Wine (40)
  • ItalianNotebook (7)
  • Local Interest (44)
  • Places (42)

Facebook

ItalianNotebook Facebook

Instagram

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

🇮🇹 All Right Reserved by ItalianNotebook.com since 2006

Copyright Mary Jane Cryan 2007-2014