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Extra Virgin Olive OilMackenzie Limited has a diverse selection of extra virgin olive oils including several varieties from Italy. Learning about olive oil production has given us profound respect for the traditions and science that are involved in the process. What now know that olive oils achieve their diverse flavors because many producers create a blend of oils from different varieties both to create a particular flavor profile and also to enhance the keeping ability of the oil.Other factors that profoundly affect flavor include the difference between oil made from under ripe olives and one made from olives so ripe they've dropped from the tree. Very under ripe olives are green, astringent, bitter, pungent, and intensely herbal and olive-fruity, whereas ripe olives tend to be sweet, light, flowery, and nutty. Climate and cultivation practices affect the taste of olive oil. Growers want a good rain during critical growth periods, and then very little rain right before the harvest, because olives, like most fruits, acquire the most flavor when they are thirsty. Assuming a good climate and location for cultivation, the three most important factors in producing a good olive oil are the variety of the olive, the age and vigor of the trees and the quality of the soil. |
