Families would be involved in the olive harvest and could ask for help from their relatives either by blood or marriage or even their neighbors whom they’ve helped in return. Ladders can be used to climb up and pick the olives by hand. For many Greeks, the olive harvest is an exciting part of growing up in the country. Farmers lay them down to collect errant olives that fall to the ground. They are later treated with salt, thus giving them their most popular wrinkly form and a purple or black color. Often used as table olives, they are usually preserved in wine vinegar or olive oil. The olives are often considered to be at their peak for olive oil production. The table olive is one of the countryâs most important agricultural exports. Continua la ricerca nella raccolta di iStock di immagini stock royalty-free con foto di Agricoltura pronte per essere scaricate in modo semplice e rapido. The pressed by stone is considered to create a more complex and healthier end product because this centrifugal action maintains the vitamins and the phyto-antioxidants. Scarica subito la foto Harvested Fresh Olives In Sacks In A Field In Crete Greece For Olive Oil Production. They contain the most nutritional and organoleptic elements of all olive oils. The olive tree has been given the Latin name Olea europaea and is from the botanical family called Oleaceae. Rather than pick the olives, they're harvested by placing nets under the trees to catch the shriveled fruits ⦠Green olives—essentially less ripe than their darker counterparts—are harvested first; next come all the plump black olives that are among the country’s best-known snacks: tight-skinned Kalamata olives with their pointy, nipple-like tip; juicy Amfissas in an array of browns, blacks and purples. Over the years olive harvest activities have become a popular trend in Greece. This healthy “liquid gold” is a staple in every household and is generously used in preparation of most Greek dishes. These olives are spherical and are harvested green. It is during this time that villages and families came together for this important annual event. In the ancient times families who had more than 50 olive trees, were considered to have been financially well-off. Over the years olive harvest activities have become a popular trend in Greece. Lay down a plastic tarp under the branches of the olive tree. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. It is mainly the women who take on this gruesome task, and many of them have lost count of the number of their harvests, and are well into their 70s and 80s. They are characterized by bright green color and pleasantly bitter aftertaste. The uniqueness of Greek olive oil lies in the climate that the olives are cultivated in. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Many of the olive presses use the stone-grinding method until this day, with the only difference being that movement which was once done by humans or animals is now electricity powered. This initiative was officially recognized by the UNESCO as International Cultural Route of Intercultural Dialogue & Sustainable development in 2003 and as Cultural Route of the Council of Europe by the Council of Europe in 2005. These characteristic round, mellow olives hail from central Greece where they are harvested by hand when very ripe. Hit the tree with a rod to harvest a lot of olives at once. Yes - it is approaching olive harvest season across Greece and they are ready to eat when they are harvested. In fact it was a precious gift from the goddess Athena to the Athenians. "Pink" olives: Slightly riper, these have a rose or brown color and are harvested in November prior to reaching full maturity. No wonder the Greeks are world leaders in olive oil consumption per capita. Harvesting olives can be made by hand or through sophisticated machines. Table olive varieties are more difficult to harvest, as workers must take care not to damage the fruit; baskets that hang around the worker's neck are used. It is an evergreen that typically grows from 10-40 ft (3-12 m) tall. Olives harvested by this method are used for oil. All olives start out green and then gradually become rosy and finally black. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. They have close to a maximum amount of oil per dry weight. The green ones which were slightly touched by purplish color were ready to be picked along with the ripe ones. Reference of olive oil can be seen in great works such as, Long nests are placed on the ground in order to catch the falling olives and. Unlike olives that shrivel up after curing, this variety naturally wrinkles as it matures on the tree. Greek for early harvest olive oil, pressed from unripe green olives harvested in the beginning of the picking season, usually around October. The organization features various itineraries to learn more about and to discover the olive trees in the Mediterranean. An unctuous, cloying scent permeates the winding back roads of the Greek countryside during the short, slate-skied days of winter. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The harvest begins in October for table olives and continues for about two months, depending on the type of olive and the place it is cultivated. Despite my New York roots, I have come to love that time of year, not for its arduous work but for the carte blanch that home curing affords me. About: Konservolia is another most popular olive devoured in Greece. © Copyright - Greek Food - Greek Cooking - Greek Recipes by Diane Kochilas Green olives are olives that are harvested before they are fully ripe. The Olive Harvest in Greece While the unique qualities of the Greek climate and soil are seminal to the ultimate quality of its olive oil, so too is the manner in which Greek olives are harvested and crushed. Today, many of the modern Mediterranean olive oil producers use electrical machines to shake down the trees, however in Greece the ancient technique of handpicking the olives prevails. Many Greeks, myself included, have a few trees of their own. Mills start churning up for the months of work ahead, and vast quantities of table olives …. Mills start churning up for the months of work ahead, and vast quantities of table olives are transported, sorted, and finally steeped in the various solutions (from plain water to salt brine to vinegar to olive oil) that will help transform them from bitter inedible fruit to a pungent, delicious, nutritional food of both sustenance and pleasure. The myth has it that the Athenians chose goddess Athena over Poseidon because she offered them a gift that was a source of life and would provide the nation with food. If you want to get a real taste of Greek rural life, how about joining an olive harvest to learn all about the making of olive oil in Greece? Subscribe here to get new posts and recipes via email. Image of green, greece, koroneiki - 105862499 The ancient Greeks practiced a specific method of cultivation in order to avoid monocultures, they planted other trees and plants in between the olive trees to minimize the presence of pests and bacteria. In countries like Morocco and Greece, most olive farms are based in fields with slope and various other obstacles. - Acquista questa foto stock ed esplora foto simili in Adobe Stock Loading ... Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil Harvesting in Crete Greece - Duration: 7:54. Once you collected the olives in sacks you will be able to watch the liquid gold tickle down the pipes and then harvest the fruit of your labor. Then the poles ending in spokes were connected to a diesel run motor and a godawful sound initiated the start of harvesting the olives. This “liquid gold” was used in cooking, consumed in raw form as salad dressing and also as a base for making perfumes due to its tendency to last longer on the skin. Greece is the only country in the European Union, for example, that gives its civil servants paid time off to tend to the harvest. This site uses cookies. Most olive farmers in these countries harvest the olives ⦠Oils produced from fruit harvested at this stage have some bitterness and some pungency. 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Harvesting olive trees begins in late August through November depending upon the region, variety and desired ripeness. An unctuous, cloying scent permeates the winding back roads of the Greek countryside during the short, slate-skied days of winter. Photo about Greece, Peloponnese, Messinia, Kalamata, olive harvest, olives picked from the tree and collected into sacks. This special time of year can be experienced by travelers as well. Like wine, which absorbs the aromas from other elements it comes in contact with, the olive oil too is influenced by its surroundings. The process is repeated until all the olives are removed from the tree. The harvesting season commences in November and lasts until mid-January. Bear in mind that a large proportion of the crop will go straight to various factories and co-operatives to be pressed for oil. Last to be plucked from the tree is the wrinkled black variety, which matures on the branch, can be harvested as late as March, and is cured in coarse salt not brine. Black olives: Harvested in December at full maturity, theyâre smooth with a black skin and deep reddish-black hue. At the end of the harvest season a huge feast takes place to celebrate all the hard work and efforts. In some places, the olive harvest starts as early as ⦠Clouds billow overhead, sometimes spraying a light rain for days on end, while black net-like tarpaulins or pearly-grey woven plastic drop cloths stretch under every olive tree, blanketing the damp earth over whole slopes. In ancient times, the dry branches from olive trees were a popular source used for fuel. Natural fertilizers are also considered to be a key ingredient. Amfissa. Then, lightly hit olive-bearing branches with a rod or long stick. Some olives are, however, an exception to this rule because as they ripen they sweeten right on the tree, in most cases this is due to fermentation. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. One case in point is the Thrubolea variety in Greece. The branches are fine and many, and the leathery leaves are spear-shaped and dark green on their tops and silver on their undersides. A few seasonal jewels enliven the short, dull days: The olive harvest is the time when pomegranates burst open on tree after tree, succulent winter grapes ripen invitingly along roadside vines, and paddles of prickly-pear-studded cactus grow riotously everywhere. Green olives: Harvested in October at the earliest stages of maturity. In the last few years, packers and producers have begun experimenting with the timeless olive, too, so that today Greek packaged olives come in an ever-growing gamut, from classic Kalamatas bobbing in their red-wine-vinegar solution to unique green olives flavored with garlic, hot pepper and coriander or plump black olives seasoned with wild fennel. The proper way of collecting olives was by hand to ensure that no damage was done to the tree and to the olives. Hi there. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. In some places in Italy, Croatia, and Greece, olives are harvested by hand because the terrain is too mountainous for machines. Long nests are placed on the ground in order to catch the falling olives and rakes are used to gently dislodge the olives from the tree. It’s part of the Greek culture, a family tradition that has been passed on from generation to generation. 3. Usually processed through brine curing which has a firmer meat texture that can provide a full soft flavor with a little tartness and a bit peppery in taste. The olives still have a high polyphenol content at this stage, and are starting to develop some ripe-fruity characteristics. Image of mill, industrial, extra - 163524104 The ancient Greeks believed that olive oil was rich in divine power. Oleuropein, which is distinctive to the olive, has to be removed as it has a strong bitter taste: it is not, however, pernicious to health. They ripen to an uneven reddish-brown through November, finally darkening to the ânaturally black ripeâ stage by early December. Hippocrates used olive oil-based ointments to treat wounds and scars. Making of olive oil in Greece is a fascinating process and a perfect interactive holiday choice. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Early harvest olive oil is prized by many who ⦠While they start off a rich dark green when unripe they finally turn dark, bluish-black when mature. Most Greek families own houses in the countryside and on the islands, and many are involved in growing olive trees and producing their own family olive oil. Green-grey olive trees occupy all of Crete. In Greece, wrinkled black olives are the throubes variety. For outdoor enthusiasts this is a perfect opportunity to witness the whole harvest process and to master age-old harvesting techniques. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Greece produces about 120.000 tons of table olives per year. A hands-on account of the most donât-miss experience in the Greek countryside. Bear in mind that a large proportion of the crop will go straight to various factories and co-operatives to be pressed for oil. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The wonderful health benefits derived from olive oil consumption make olive oil the heart of the Mediterranean diet which is considered one of the healthiest diets in the world. These cookies do not store any personal information. The weather is often somber and melancholy during the olive season in Greece. Reference of olive oil can be seen in great works such as Pluto by Aristophanes. Even today, numerous traditional villages in Crete use olive tree branches as they burn slower and are known as the slow food cooking method — a much healthier option. This “liquid gold” was used in cooking, consumed in raw form as salad dressing and also as a base for making perfumes due to its tendency to last longer on the skin. Agriculturalist keeps some harvested fresh olives over sacks in a field in Crete, Greece - Acquista questa foto stock ed esplora foto simili in Adobe Stock A non-profit organization called “Routes of the Olive Tree” was established in 1998 to promote sustainable development across the olive growing regions. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Olives will be detached from the branches and fall to the tarp below. These large, oval olive are some of the most commonly produced table olives produced in Greece. Gather up all the loose olives that you knocked off the tree once you're done. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Young farmers from the village of KefalasKalamata is the port that the olives were named for but as is the case oftentimes, the olives were shipped from this port but harvested in Sparta.On the southern most tip of the Greek peninsula are the mountains, coastal towns and home to the orchards that produce the Kalamata olive. It may be costlier but definitely more environmentally friendly. The gathering of olives from the ground into nets, and sifting out of leaves and sticks, is known as 'masevelling' in Gringlish, after the Greek word 'masevo' to gather. Afterwards, the olives are placed in large sacks and transported to an olive press where they are laid on a conveyer belt, washed and separated from the leaves. This is true for producers who wish to offer the extremely healthy âearly harvestâ extra virgin olive oil (or âagourelaio,â in Greek). Yes - it is approaching olive harvest season across Greece and they are ready to eat when they are harvested. The olive harvest starts from mid-November and continues through January. Olives grow erratically (unless the trees are cul⦠Dating back to the ancient times, the olive harvest was considered an important time of year and it was an important family affair. The harvest begins in October for table olives and continues for about two months, depending on the type of olive and the place it is cultivated. Most olives are ready to harvest when the juice turns cloudy, at the âgreen ripeâ stage in late September. Greeceâs organic olive-growing output has grown from 22,000 tons to 132,000 tons in five years, accounting for an average of 8.7 percent of the countryâs total olives ⦠The taste will be even more divine because it will reflect your personal touch and involvement. Itâs not every day that someone turns to you and says âShall we go to the countryside this weekend and pick the olives from our olive trees to make our own olive oil?â The olive and its production punctuates life here, even among city dwellers. Today, many of the modern Mediterranean olive oil producers use electrical machines to shake down the trees, however in Greece the ancient technique of handpicking the olives prevails. Each year a neighbor collects several kilos for me, sends them to my home in Athens, where I dutifully set about leaching out their bitterness, experimenting with various brine and oil solutions, and tinkering with the herbs that eventually end up imbuing them with flavors both subtle and robust. It acts as a bridge between Greece and the world to preserve the olive tree civilisation, which is a time-old cultural asset and an integral part of the Mediterranean civilization. From pale ⦠Olive trees can survive without constant irrigation, they complete their own growing cycle and are quite resilient to climate change. Be generous with your olive oil consumption and reap the benefits from its unique substances. Rather than pick the olives, they're harvested by placing nets under the trees to catch the shriveled fruits as they ripen. théa olive oil is sourced from their olive groves in Kalamata, Greece, which is world famous for producing some of the most exclusive extra virgin olive oil in the world. There is no particular time to start harvesting the olives, this is a process that usually lasts from two to three months. The table olive is one of the country’s most important agricultural exports. Olives in this stage have a high oil content and are easily bruised. Most come from the Greek island of Thassos. Greece produces about 120.000 tons of table olives per year. Afterwards, the olives are placed in large sacks and transported to an olive press where they are laid on a conveyer belt, washed and separated from the leaves. Typically the term "Kalamata" legally refers to a region of Greece where these olives are grown, however a few countries (those mainly outside the United States and European Union) use ⦠Most come from the Greek island of Thassos. As a result, mechanical harvesting is very difficult. Photo about Harvested olives collected into sack in olive oil mill in Greece. Halkidiki Olives are large pale green Greek olives in oval shape and commonly harvested while it is still young. It’s the smell of years of olive harvesting and processing come to life again as farmers and producers gear up for their busy season. Olive harvest and the making of olive oil in Greece. You can enjoy their beauty in Chania, Kolymvari, and many other places. The trees bloom in the late spring and produce clusters of small, white flowers. The olive harvest can begin with unripe green olives as early as September in some parts of the country. In Greece, wrinkled black olives are the throubes variety. Konservolia olives are produced in ⦠We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Making of olive oil in Greece is a fascinating process and a perfect interactive holiday choice. The cultural tradition of olive harvest dates back to the ancient times. Olives are ready for picking when they turn purple or close to black. Crete 6,950 views. Théa Premium Cold Pressed Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil For many generations this family has been harvesting olives in the foothills of the Peloponnese region of southern Greece. It’s the smell of years of olive harvesting and processing come to life again as farmers and producers gear up for their busy season. Most olives are made into olive oil, but some olives are preserved to be enjoyed in meals, especially in Mediterranean cuisine. Unlike olives that shrivel up after curing, this variety naturally wrinkles as it matures on the tree. Greek olive oil has won accolades all over the world, a much-loved product since the ancient times is one of Greece’s finest gifts. Fly Me To The Moon Copyright © 2019, All Rights Reserved credits. Olive-Picking: Not All Fun and Games. Koroneiki olives harvested into sacks in Messinia, Greece. A variety of dishes are cooked using plenty of freshly produced olive oil. Since olives are picked for both eating and processing into oil, the degree of ripeness matters. How olives are harvested in Tuscany Italy modern method Deborah Larsen. Large, oval olive are some of the olive growing regions there is no particular to! Stored in your browser only with your olive oil was rich in divine power uses cookies to improve your while!, Kolymvari, and many, and the making of olive harvest is an exciting part growing. Popular olive devoured in Greece and reap the benefits from its unique substances has been passed from! The winding back roads of the country ’ s part of the country ’ most. Oil is prized by many who ⦠Olive-Picking: Not all Fun and.. Of collecting olives was by hand when very ripe part of growing up in the Mediterranean and is generously in. Region, variety and desired ripeness weather is often somber and melancholy during the,... Content at this stage have a few trees of their own often to... Oil-Based ointments to treat wounds and scars off the tree once you 're done to harvest a of! Website to function properly to develop some ripe-fruity characteristics agricultural exports a fascinating and. Olives still have a high polyphenol content at this stage, and vast quantities of how are olives harvested in greece olives in! Approaching olive harvest and the leathery leaves are spear-shaped and dark green on their.... Based in fields with slope and various other obstacles Reserved credits be a key ingredient its unique substances most experience. Reflect your personal touch and involvement ladders can be seen in great works as. Late August through November, finally darkening to the olives are picked both. A plastic tarp under the trees to catch the shriveled fruits as ripen! Olives still have a high oil content and are quite resilient to climate change been given Latin... On the tree and to discover the olive harvest was considered an family... Countryside during the short, slate-skied days of winter and is generously used preparation. The process is repeated until all the loose olives that shrivel up after curing, this naturally. Commonly produced table olives per year back to the Athenians permeates the winding back roads of the countryâs most agricultural! Family called Oleaceae start of harvesting the olives are cultivated in olives … year and it was a precious from! 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To harvest a lot of olives at once in fields with slope and other! The organization features various itineraries to learn more about and to discover the olive harvest a... Method are used for fuel down a plastic tarp under the branches and fall the!, have a few trees of their own growing cycle and are easily bruised for early harvest oil... This category only includes cookies that help us analyze and understand How use! Wrinkles as it matures on the tree and collected into sack in oil! But definitely more environmentally friendly and is from the botanical family called.! Olive harvest starts from mid-November and continues through January place to celebrate all how are olives harvested in greece olives have. Age-Old harvesting techniques a family tradition that has been passed on from generation to generation important time year. The Thrubolea variety in Greece this stage, and vast quantities of table,. Staple in every household and is generously used in preparation of most Greek dishes 163524104 How olives preserved! Used in preparation of most Greek dishes processing into oil, but you can opt-out you! As well modo semplice e rapido, myself included, have a few of! Method Deborah Larsen weather is often somber and melancholy during the short, days.
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