Discover the characteristics of the olive empeltre
Did you know that the Empeltre olive tree is one of the oldest varieties in Spain? This autochthonous variety of Aragon has a multitude of special characteristics that make it a good choice depending on the terrain, especially due to its constant and high productivity, despite the fact that it is not very early.
Do you want to know more about the characteristics of this traditional olive variety? Discover 7 of its peculiarities and, above all, be sure to try its oil!
1. Cultivation in Aragon (Teruel) and other areas of Spain
This variety of olives, which is also known as Aragonese or Mallorquina due to its cultivation area, grows in Aragon, especially in the Aragon area. It is also found in Mallorca, Tarragona, La Rioja, Navarra, Castellón and even in Argentina.
the old ‘Treatise on the cultivation of olive trees in Spain and how to improve it’, by Hidalgo Tablada, thus describes its origin and some of the characteristics of the olive empeltre:
Zaragoza, Logroño, Tudela de Navarra and other parts of Navarra and Aragon rapidly spreads the olive tree empeltre, because the circumstances of ripening the fruit early, resist the coldness of the border of the northern region of Spain, and produce abundant fruit, give superior oil And bringing the tree to a few years of nursery transplantation are qualities that only this tree has. On the other hand, it requires irrigation, loose and fertile land, frequent fertilizers and a lot of care that pays well.
2. One of the oldest varieties in Spain
The Empeltre variety is one of the oldest in the Iberian Peninsula. As in the Mediterranean area, in Aragon, the olive tree reached a great magnitude in the Roman Empire. In fact, Rufo Festo Avieno (4th century), connoisseur of Hispania, in his book Ora Marítima calls the Ebro river, Oleum Flumen: River of oil.
as he explains This article from the Denomination of Origin Aragón Oil, the area has ancient trees, introduced in the region by Roman domination.
The olive trees of Beloleum are grown in the Campo de Belchite region, a place where the Empeltre variety abounds, as well as the Arbequina, which also populates our olive groves. In this area, the olive tree has been the traditional cultivation par excellence since the times of ancient Rome, with some specimens half a century old.
3. Graft propagation
As a curiosity, the Empeltre olive is propagated by grafting, since it has a low rooting capacity. In fact, as the illustrated atlas of olive oil assures, its name comes from the Catalan word Empt (graft).
4. High quality oil and much appreciated
The Olive Empeltre variety is appreciated for its productivity and for the excellent quality of its oil. In fact, its fat yield (amount of oil contained in the olive) can exceed 24%. Its limited cultivation area, mainly along the Ebro Valley, makes this type of olive highly appreciated in the rest of the world.
As for the organoleptic characteristics, the oil obtained from these olive trees is very balanced, with a fluid texture and a golden yellow color. An example of premium olive oil of this variety is our Beloleum Empeltre, which is very pleasant on the palate, sweet, with a fruity and somewhat almond-like smell.
5. Its olive is mainly used to make oil
Due to its quality and its greasy yield, the Empeltre olive is used for the production of olive oil. Although it is also highly appreciated as a table olive, which allows itself to be blackened on the tree and which gives rise to the well-known black olives of Aragon.
6. Early maturation of its fruits
The olive tree of the Empeltre variety has an early maturation compared to others. At the beginning of the campaign, an oil with a somewhat fruity taste is obtained, that is, with a flavor and perfume that reminds of olive trees. As the olive ripens more on the tree, the juice has a slightly sweet taste, without bitterness or itching.
The moment of collection of the empeltre in Aragon is usually at the beginning of November, although Beloleum is collected somewhat earlier, at the beginning of October, with the aim of taking advantage of the optimal point of maturation. The result is an extra virgin olive oil of excellent quality and with a great richness of nuances.
7. Good adaptation
This rustic variety can adapt well to poor terrain and tolerate drought. It also tolerates verticilosis well, a disease caused by a fungus, as well as anthracnose (soap olive). However, it is sensitive to other diseases such as the olive tree fly or the cochineal.
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