What is coupage olive oil?
If you have read the term coupage on any olive oil label and you wonder what its meaning is, in this article we explain what this mixing oil is and why it is made.
What is coupage olive oil?
Coupage olive oil is the product in which they are used Two or more varieties of olives in their preparation. Oils that are made with a single variety of olives, for example, Arbequina or picual, they are called single-varietals, while those that mix two, three or even four types are called coupage.
The term coupage comes from French and means mix.
As we will see, on some occasions the coupage is carried out naturally, by not separating the olives in the harvesting stage, but most of the time this mixture is usually made in the oil mill, with the aim of achieving particular results that enhance the best of each type of oil. Keep in mind that in Spain there are many Olive oil varieties that you can consult here, so the possibilities are as varied as they are exquisite.
From the traditional coupage to the choice of the master miller
The mixture of varieties of oils is carried out in Spain for two reasons: in a traditional way, joining two varieties of olives, or manually, selecting the exact amounts of juice in the mill to achieve specific organoleptic characteristics.
The traditional mixture of olive trees in the area
Coupage is not new. It was already done and continues to be done many times on farms in which the olive trees are mixed, although it is a bit complicated, since the optimal point of the olive harvest It is not always the same for all varieties. In these cases, the different types of olives are already mixed to the oil mill and the normal oil processing procedure. In this process, the proportions are not usually measured, which depend on the production in season of a certain variety.
the mixture during the elaboration process to achieve nuances
At present, in most of the extra virgin olive oils (of the highest quality) that are coupage there is an intention: to provide excellent characteristics to the result of the mixture. The master Almazarero is in charge of this, who has to get the resulting coupage oil to preserve the qualities of the mixed varieties and enhance its virtues.
An example is the Beloleum Selection range, Our coupage oil, which combines the delicacy and the fruity aroma of empeltre and the intense flavor and exotic touch of the arbequina. Both varieties of olives are typical of the Aragon area, where our olive trees grow.
Its mixture is not accidental, the master miller is in charge of achieving this silky and enveloping oil in the mouth, which stands out for its richness in nuances and unique personality. As a characteristic inherited from the varieties that make it up, it is not bitter at all. Of course, it stands out for some fruity nuances highly appreciated by our consumers.
So: coupage or monovarietal?
The answer is simple, choose the one you like the most! The two types are 100% olive juice when it comes to EVOO or extra virgin. So, if what worries you is the quality, that’s what you have to look at. At Beloleum we produce two types of premium single-varietal oils: IMPLERT and Arbequina. In addition, we also elaborated our Coupage Selection, with a careful union of both. All three are extra virgin olive oil category, so try and choose yourself?
What coupage combinations exist?
In Spain there are many combinations for mixing or coupage oils, but these are some of the most common and recognized:
- Empeltre and Arbequina.
- Arbequina and Picual.
- Hojiblanca and beaked.
- Hojiblanca, Arbequina and Picual.
- Hojiblanca, Arbequina and Cornicabra.
As you can see, the mixture can be two, but also three or even four, like the coupage made with arbequina, picual, hojiblanca and morisca. Hopefully you are encouraged to discover some of these flavors!
Latest Posts on Olive Oil
Fasting olive oil: everything you need to know
5 gourmet homemade burger recipes
How to optimize olive nutrition?