People who like visiting vineyards and sampling the various wines produced on site might like to know there's another fascinating venue awaiting them. Visiting a central coast California olive farm is every bit as interesting, and there's as much mystique to the history, culture, harvesting, and processing of the olive as there is for the grape. There's gourmet enjoyment as well, as you sample a Tuscan style oil or an Italian style blend - with crusty bread, of course.
For those of us not versed in judging extra virgin olive oils, visiting a grower may be the best first step. You can read about 'bold and assertive' and 'peppery' flavors, but these terms don't tell the inexperienced much. A visit to one of the family-owned and operated groves can also be a highlight to a trip to the Golden State.
Most of the members of the Central Coast Growers organization are small family farms, where a variety of trees are grown. Many devotees of fine olives believe that growing more than one cultivar makes a superior product. The olives of these groves are hand-harvested, and the oils are carefully blended immediately after picking.
Both ripe and green fruit is used to enhance the flavor, which is said to be so far above 'supermarket plonk' that novices may not recognize it as the same product. These artisan farmers take great pride in the oils they produce and look down on the imported oils many consumers take on faith as both healthy and tasty.
California certified oils proudly carry a seal awarded after each year's product is screened with chemical tests and blind tastings performed by a panel of trained specialists. The tests judge the acidity of the oil, which should be low, and the purity. The tasters are skilled at judging freshness and purity and pass only the ones that meet their high standards.
California farmers are proud of their oils with good reason. Since 1900, when a California product won the highest honors at the Paris exposition, no one can deny that the Golden State is suitable for olives. Many of the trees growing in California today come from Tuscan stock, but some growers treasure descendants of trees that were planted at missions founded by Spanish monks before the region was a state.
The central coast has everything the trees need, or the perfect 'terroir' for growing olives. They prefer light, well-drained soils well-supplied with limestone. They are very drought tolerant, need full sun, and like mild winters. Seacoasts are ideal for their culture. Olive trees can live hundreds and even thousands of years when conditions are right.
Visiting the central coast farms is just one more thing to do on the fabulous western coast of the United States. Even those of us who can't go there can enjoy the the artisan growers' handcrafted oils. Some farms also produce wine vinegar and wine. Enjoy!
For those of us not versed in judging extra virgin olive oils, visiting a grower may be the best first step. You can read about 'bold and assertive' and 'peppery' flavors, but these terms don't tell the inexperienced much. A visit to one of the family-owned and operated groves can also be a highlight to a trip to the Golden State.
Most of the members of the Central Coast Growers organization are small family farms, where a variety of trees are grown. Many devotees of fine olives believe that growing more than one cultivar makes a superior product. The olives of these groves are hand-harvested, and the oils are carefully blended immediately after picking.
Both ripe and green fruit is used to enhance the flavor, which is said to be so far above 'supermarket plonk' that novices may not recognize it as the same product. These artisan farmers take great pride in the oils they produce and look down on the imported oils many consumers take on faith as both healthy and tasty.
California certified oils proudly carry a seal awarded after each year's product is screened with chemical tests and blind tastings performed by a panel of trained specialists. The tests judge the acidity of the oil, which should be low, and the purity. The tasters are skilled at judging freshness and purity and pass only the ones that meet their high standards.
California farmers are proud of their oils with good reason. Since 1900, when a California product won the highest honors at the Paris exposition, no one can deny that the Golden State is suitable for olives. Many of the trees growing in California today come from Tuscan stock, but some growers treasure descendants of trees that were planted at missions founded by Spanish monks before the region was a state.
The central coast has everything the trees need, or the perfect 'terroir' for growing olives. They prefer light, well-drained soils well-supplied with limestone. They are very drought tolerant, need full sun, and like mild winters. Seacoasts are ideal for their culture. Olive trees can live hundreds and even thousands of years when conditions are right.
Visiting the central coast farms is just one more thing to do on the fabulous western coast of the United States. Even those of us who can't go there can enjoy the the artisan growers' handcrafted oils. Some farms also produce wine vinegar and wine. Enjoy!
About the Author:
Central Coast California olive farm provides the highest quality extra virgin olive oil. To buy online, visit this website now at http://sanpauloolivefarm.com.
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