From Olive to Tin: The Journey of Our Olive Oil

The Secret Life of an Olive – Episode 5: From Olive to Tin

A long journey, ending in your kitchen.

In the previous episodes, we followed the life of an olive, from its very beginning to the development of oil inside its flesh.

But once the fruit reaches maturity, a new chapter begins: harvesting and transformation.

How does a freshly picked olive become extra virgin olive oil, ready to be enjoyed? Let's follow its journey, from the tree all the way to the tin.

The right time to harvest

Inside the olive, oil gradually develops as the fruit ripens. Its colour changes, moving from green to purple and sometimes black. Its oil content also increases as it matures.

Choosing the right time to harvest is therefore essential. Depending on the fruit's maturity, the characteristics of the resulting oil will vary: its aromas, intensity and balance can all be different.

Harvesting at the right moment means choosing the type of olive oil you want to create.

At the mill: the olive releases its oil

Once harvested, the olives are quickly transported to the mill.

There, they are crushed to form an olive paste. This process releases the oil contained within the flesh of the fruit.

The oil is then separated from the rest of the paste, which consists mainly of water and solid matter.

Little by little, the olive gives way to something new: olive oil.

From extraction to storage

Once extracted, the oil is stored in suitable tanks, protected from light, heat and oxidation.

This stage is essential to preserve its natural qualities and aromas before bottling.

Even after extraction, olive oil remains sensitive to its surroundings. Every precaution matters when it comes to protecting what the fruit has spent months developing.

Did you know?

The sooner olives are pressed after harvesting, the better they preserve their freshness and natural aromas.

This is why the time between harvesting and extraction is so important! Processing the olives quickly helps limit fruit deterioration and preserve the oil's natural qualities.

From olive to tin: a journey that ends in your kitchen

A few weeks later, the oil is bottled.

It carries an entire journey within it: a flower, a fruit, water and sunshine.

Behind every drop of olive oil lies a tree, a piece of land and a commitment to sustainable agriculture.

This is the commitment behind NECTAR: rethinking olive growing, respecting nature and developing groves that take care of their environment.

And that is how a simple olive completes its journey… in your kitchen!