Wednesday 15 November 2017

First-Harvest Oil


17 litres of the best of this year's olive oil

Mid October.  Before the rains.  Before the oil press/es had properly opened.  The first olives were being picked.  The oil from this first early harvest gives a thick, rich, green oil called αγουρελαιο/agourelaio meaning olive oil from unripe green olives.

We were very lucky to be given a 17 litre can of this finest oil.  Hand picked by a friend of ours from his farm on the Peloponese.  780 kilos of raw olives gave him 142 litres of oil, about 5 1/2 kilos to a litre.  That's a good ratio.

 Early oil is prized because of its low acidity.  Low acidity means that it is resistant to oxidation and remains fresh for a much longer period of time.  Being stored in a tin reduces its exposure to the sun  helping it to  remain in first class condition.

The first oil of the season is sought after because of its powerful antioxidant content.  A greek superfood.  I have heard our friend claim that this oil helps to cure stomach complaints and much more.  Eaten raw in salads it can give an almighty boost to the immune system 'so they say'.   One hardy friend drinks a glass of extra virgin oil first thing in the morning with a good squeeze of lemon juice.  I don't think I could stand that and neither could my stomach.

The full bodied flavour is not to everyone's taste.  My two girls, although brought up on fresh oil, do not like its strong taste and wait for the November harvest to gather their oil.  The only way they would even try this green oil was when their Yiayia (Grandma) fried little pancakes which they ate covered in sugar.  It used to be a tradition for my m-in-law to make these 'tiganites/little fritters' as soon as the first olives were pressed.  I think my sister-in-law still makes them for her grandson now and my daughter and her children who live upstairs in our old house.


Crisp, piping hot, fresh oil fritters covered in sugar or honey.  They are made from a simple flour and water mix



Most of the olive trees around here are of the variety called 'manaki'.    I have read online that the oil tastes of
artichokes
tomato leaves
fresh cut grass
citrus fruit

None of those adjectives are particularly appealing. Around here the taste is said to be sweet and slightly peppery.  Now that is more like it.

It is still raining and sometimes it is pouring.  Next week the olives will be plump and full of oil.  Vaso and her family will be out picking and so will everyone in the neighbourhood.  I hope the weather is sunny and warm for all these harvesters of 2017










10 comments:

  1. I have just read about massive flooding in Athens! Nope you don’t get that much rain
    I dont like the first oil either. Too strong for me

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We only got the fringe of the storm . Thank goodness we put in guttering after a savage storm a few years ago and no longer have water dripping inside.
      A bit strong for me too but when it's free I don't complain. K loves it

      Delete
  2. yum. I would like some of this with a huge chunk of bread to dip in it and maybe some sea salt to sprinkle on it. yum yum

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You must be part Greek! That's how most of them love it too.

      Delete
  3. I'm only familiar with the extra virgin olive oil you can purchase in stores here. I wonder if the first pressed oil you are describing wouldn't be too "flavourful". So many super foods out there. -Jenn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is very flavoursome. Has a distinct and slightly unpleasant smell. It's ok in small doses on salads. Gets milder the longer it sits around.

      Delete
  4. We used to be able to buy that type of oil. Green and unrefined. I haven't seen it for sale for years, which is a pity; I love it. All my Olives have now been eaten by birds.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You can buy it in the supermarket at this time of the year though it is still not as strong as this stuff which comes straight from the press.

      Delete
  5. Probably Thursday will be the mad Scots woman in wellies dodging the thunder bolts to paddle in Vagonia bay!. Have a tiny army camping barbie with fuel pellets security will prob take it at airport but worth a try!.
    Could dump the pellets.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Raining non stop today and next week a cold front is coming down. Youre visiting at a great time.
    Why don't you have lamb chops at the taverna on the harbour....and keep warm.
    Let me know your plans

    ReplyDelete