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Arbequina Olive

Arbeca, Garrigues, Lleida

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Arbequina Olive

Curiosity · Arbeca, Garrigues, Lleida

The arbequina olive is a variety originating in the comarca of Les Garrigues, now grown throughout the world and the basis of the PDO oil of Les Garrigues. According to tradition, it was introduced in the 17th century by the Duchess of Cardona, who lived in Arbeca, the municipality that gave the variety its name. It is the smallest fruit among the Spanish varieties, weighing one or two grams, spherical in shape and black in colour when ripe. It withstands cold well but tolerates calcareous soils poorly. Its oil, of early ripening, has a mild flavour and fruity aroma, although because of its low polyphenol content it does not keep for long. Besides Catalonia, it is now grown in Aragon, Andalusia and countries such as Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.

Photo: Tamorlan (CC BY-SA 3.0)

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