L’Olivier Extra Virgin Olive Oil

“L’Olivier extra virgin olive oil was awarded the Gold medal by SA Olive in the commercial class for a delicate extra virgin olive oil”.

Our L’Olivier NonPareil extra virgin, unfiltered olive oil is produced and bottled on the estate. A lovely light Golden yellow colour…a fine and complex aroma with elegant nuances of freshly cut grass and a tint of bitterness.

L’Olivier’s olive oil is not a blend, consist mainly of Frantoia and Mission olives, and Cold pressed.

We have 15 hectares of olive trees, mainly Mission,lucino and Frantoia, the trees were planted in 1947. Each tree was grafted from one sample, originally imported from Greece. In 1999 we planted a further 500 trees of an Italian cultivar, to enable us to improve on the olive oil flavours and quality.

We are presently in our sixth year of production. Every year brings it's challenges. We have come a long way to being able to develop and offer a high quality and original product for our customers.

We try to keep everything as natural as possible and we do not spray any harmful pesticides or chemicals. We rely on our picking staff to sort the olives carefully when preparing for pressing, as any mark or disease can affect the end result.

The complex confluence of taste, aroma and visual qualities begins in the soil. The soil is prepared by ripping and plouging the land, to allow the roots to penetrate in search of moisture. Each of the 15 hectares of Olive trees is irrigated, using water from natural springs on the farm. The trees are pruned annually to a height of 2,2 metres to ensure ease of harvesting.

The oil is extracted from the best handpicked olives .This ensures the least contact with oxygen. The oil is then stored away in a cool dark room for three months.

A filtration process follows. The delicate flavours are carefully captured and the oil is bottled for a maximum shelf life of two years. Dark green bottles are used, to protect the oil from sunlight.

Olive oil has been with us for centuries, however up until now the potential of the South African olive groves has not been fully harvested. We believe that our product is the purest, most natural and refined of oils. Extra Virgin Olive Oil from L’Olivier estate is cold pressed and unfiltered, therefore it contains no additives and has not been exposed to any other type of extraction process. Olive oil has in the past been considered a luxury, as it deserves, here we have an undeniably special quality product born in the hills of Stellenbosch.

Olive oil in South Africa has expanded at an immense rate. Awareness is on the increase. Olive oil has so many benefits, not only for cooking, but for health and beauty as well. Olive oil is finally receiving the interest and respect that it deserves, and it can only improve from here.

Olive oils differ in quality, smokepoint, colour, flavour and aroma. Each type of olive oil has its own purpose. Genuine extra-virgin oil has the richest, deepest flavour and captures the essence of the olive itself, but isn't appropriate for every dish. Save it for salads and other cold dishes or trickle it over hot dishes just before serving so the rich flavour can be fully enjoyed. Use it in dishes such as pasta with oil and garlic, where it is the featured ingredient.

Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

To recieve the title 'extra' virgin oil, this completely natural product of the first pressing of olives must achieve an absolutely perfect colour and flavour and have an acidity of less than 1 per cent.

The full aroma and flavour of extra-virgin olive oil adds authencity to a wide variety of Mediterranean cusine, inlcuding pizza and pasta dishes, and is also ideal for dressing salads. Extra-virgin has no more than 1 per cents oleic acid, while "virgin oil" has up to 4 per cent. For professionals, the less acid the finer the oil.

OLIVE OIL BENEFITS

It is the only oil made by simply crushing the fruit, with no additives or further treatment. Olive oil contains Omega 3 and is recognised as helping reduce cholesterol.

NUTRITIONAL VALUE

Olive oil is 100 per cent fat, has no protein, no carbohydrate, no sodium, no cholesterol, no minerals but a trace of vitamin E, which is fat soluble. It is suitable for vegetarians and vegans as it is extracted from a fruit.