We had an excellent crop of olives this year producing enough olive oil to last family and friends a whole year.
Harvesting olives is fun but not quick work. Luckily everyone joins in and we soon have crates of olives ready to take to the cooperative.
How it works? You pick your olives and take them to the cooperative where they are weighed and pressed. You receive your oil there and then.
Approximately 4.5 kilos of olives will produce 1 litre of oil. Our harvest this year was 115kg which produced 26 litres, worth about €150.
You will need a large olive grove to produce enough olives to be commercially viable. However, picking the olives with friends, family and the children can be fun and there is a great satisfaction in knowing you have produced your own oil.
Making your own infused oils using garlic, chillies and herbs is fun for adults and children. Rosemary and garlic are classic flavourings, but try using bay leaves, thyme, lemon zest and ginger.
More about olives…Coming soon….
Recommended book : The Essential Olive Oil Companion by Anne Dolamore
HEAL 