Encounter Olives

Olive oil is one of only two oils that come from fruit and that can be used without further processing (avocado oil is the other). The olive press is considered to be as old as the wine press.

Olive trees were first cultivated in ancient Syria, where they were valued for their fruit, but above all for their tremendously versatile oil, which was used for cooking, lighting, and in medicine.

The trees spread throughout ancient world, and are found today all around the Mediterranean, as well as in similar climates worldwide. There are about 900 different varieties of olive tree.

Much like grapes, olive varietals fall into three categories, according to the best use of the fruit they produce: eating olives, cooking oil olives, or condiment-quality oil olives.

Many people are confused by the difference between the latter two categories. Olive oil can be used in place of products such as butter, lard, or corn oil in cooking. Condiment oils, on the other hand, are used to make dressings, to dip bread, or drizzled over pastas, vegetables, or grilled foods.

The oil we make, like other good olive oils, is in the condiment category. Our olive trees were chosen because of the incredible oil that comes from their fruit.

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