When is the olive collected?
At what time is the olive collected in Spain? To answer this question throughout this article we must take into account several factors, such as the location of the olive trees (an olive grove in Jaén or Extremadura is not the same as one in Aragon) and the variety of olives. In this sense, the final destination of the raw material will also influence the harvest season: it is not the same if they are table olives or to dress, than fruits to make olive oil.
Let’s go with the answers!
When is the olive collected in Spain?
In Spain olives to make olive oil are collected During the months of October, November, December, January and February, depending on factors such as the location of the fields or the variety. In any case, the most intense months in the harvest for olive oil are usually November and December. In olive oil, it also intervenes that you want to make an early harvest EVOO, which is characterized by being more intense and aromatic, although its collection is more complex and its yield is lower. As for The olive to eat, the table or the olive to dress, is usually picked up at the end of September or October.
While in Spain and in the countries with this type of crops in the northern hemisphere, the olives are collected from October to February, in those of the southern hemisphere it happens from February to June.
In any case, it is necessary to calculate how long the harvest will take, which must be completed when the olives are at their optimum point of ripening.
Seen this, let’s synthesize the information!
When is the olive oil collected?
In Spain, the olive oil for making olive oil is collected From October to February, although it depends a lot on the variety or the region of the crop, it is not the same for a picual of Jaén than for an arbequina from Aragon.
Usually, olives are collected in the VERO PHASE, when they are halfway between the green olives and the already ripe ones. At this stage the olive goes from green to purple.
When is the olive collected to dress?
The table olive that is intended to dress is collected somewhat before those of olive oil, normally, just before the vera. In Spain, it is usually end of September and during the month of October.
Detail of the olives of the olive groves of Beloleum, in Campo de Belchite.
When is the Arbequina olive collected?
Arbequina is an early-ripening olive and usually begins to collect Between mid-October and early November. This variety so widespread in Catalonia and Aragon is also grown in other areas such as Castilla La Mancha and Andalusia, so harvest times may vary. Its fruit is usually used exclusively for the production of oil, since it does not have good characteristics to be a table olive: it is small and with a relatively large bone.
When are the Arbequina olives collected with which Beloleum is made? Arbequina is usually collected in our Belchite field crops to grind in mid-October. The result is a mild, light and fruity oil. Its enveloping taste in the mouth is suitable for all kinds of palates and dishes: from sauces and salads to pastries.
When is the Empeltre olive collected?
Usually the empeltre is collected somewhat later, in early November. However, the Empeltre beloleum is collected earlier, at the beginning of October, to take advantage of the optimal point of maturation and thus obtain a high-quality EVOO of great quality and richness of nuances.
The olives of the Empeltre variety are consumed as a table olive. They are left to blacken in the tree itself and the result is known as Oliva Negra de Aragón.
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