Did you know that some of the best Olive Oils in the world are made in Croatia? At the 2016 edition of the New York International Olive Oil Competition, nine extra virgin olive oils from Croatia won Gold and Silver Awards. Six out of the nine Croatian award winners are producers from the peninsular region of Istria, while the others hail from the Adriatic islands of Krk and Brač, and the Pelješac peninsula in southern Dalmatia. (1)
Furthermore, Croatian extra virgin organic olive oils are, years by years in one of the most prominent guides for olive oil in the world, Flos Olei. They are not just in the guide, but always among the best in categories. One of the best example is Ex Albis. Produced by the family-run olive grove Chiavalon in Istria. Chiavalon’s “Ex Albis” is ranked in the world’s Top 25 olive oils from organic farming by the organization “World’s Best Olive Oils. (2)
What is the secret in olive oils produced in Croatia?
First time visitors in Istria will quickly notice countless, eye-catching olive groves and plantation. Ecologic olive oil and wine production are one of the most important part of agriculture. Olive oil growing is part of long lasting tradition whose roots can be traced more than 1000 years back in time. The oldest olive tree in the region can be found on the Island of Brioni (Brijuni) – just across the small fishing village named Fažana, where ISTRA Truffle has a shop too. 1600 years old tree is still standing there, waiting to be seen and admired.
The Island of Brijuni, specifically the Big Brijun, is also quite relevant for the olive oil industry as according to (Smalby) among its Roman ruins lies hidden an old olive oil production facility that used stone presses for production of olive oil. In fact, the facility is so well preserved you can actually see the primitive ways of oil production quite clearly, without having to figure out which part went where.
Premium olive oils in Istria has been produced since the times of Roman Empire using autochthonous Istrian olive varieties: Buza, Istarska Bjelica, Rosinjola, Carbonazza and Moraiolo. Nothing has changed today. Local families are still producing oil the same way. Olives are hand-picked with care and cold pressed the same day, which gives the oil an exceptionally fresh, aromatic, and slightly piquant taste.
Reference
(1) Putinja, I. (2016). Some of the Best Olive Oils are Made in Croatia. Retrieved from www.oliveoiltimes.com/olive-oil-business/europe/the-best-olive-oils-are-made-in-croatia/51712
(2) Hina/EBL News (2016). Chiavalon Ex Albis among top 25 olive oils. Retrieved from https://eblnews.com/news/croatia/chiavalon-ex-albis-among-top-25-olive-oils-29441
(3) Smalby, M. Olive Oil Croatia. Retrieved from http://www.croatia-expert.com/olive-oil-croatia