Puglia Olive Oil: What Makes it So Special?

Forming the heel of Italy’s boot is Puglia, a classy coastal region full of quaint, hilly towns and baroque architecture. Generally, it’s known for its miles of pristine beaches and remarkable historic sites. However, it’s gained a lot of notoriety for its olive oil, too.

Yep, you read that right. Puglia’s northern hills are blanketed in a green sea of olive branches, and pretty much all of them are used to produce delicious olive oil.

So, what is it that makes Puglia’s olive oil so special? We thought you’d ask that, which is why we’ve rounded up a few of its defining characteristics for you below:

It’s Made in Small Batches

You won’t find any big, industrial factories here. The olive groves in Puglia stick religiously to an ethos of producing oil in small batches. This means that every bottle is made with extra care and attention, maintaining an excellent standard across the board.

The olives are carefully picked before being cleaned, ground and pressed (often all on the same day)! Some brands even print harvest dates on the packaging, so you know just how fresh it really is.

The Olives Are Grown on Mineral-Rich Land

As you might have guessed, any good olive oil needs good olives, and trust us, Puglia’s olives are in a class of their own.

Much of an olive’s flavour is defined by its terroir (that is, the natural environment in which it’s grown). This is crucial, and the soil in northern Puglia has a high concentration of minerals, allowing the olive trees to thrive. As a result, they produce hearty, healthy olives that are perfect for making oil.

It’s Often Free of Pesky Artificial Pesticides

While pesticides are a great way of protecting a crop from any irksome irritants, they can be harmful to us if they’re not dealt with correctly. However, there’s usually no such issue when it comes to Puglia’s olive oils.

Many of the groves here refrain from adding any extra chemicals to their trees wherever possible. This means the oils are purer and more natural, which is better for both you and the environment.

It Tastes Phenomenal

All of this results in an oil that’s packed with flavour; once you try this stuff, nothing else will compare. It’s no wonder that they proudly display the word “Puglia” on their products. After all, it does come with a flawless reputation.

Fancy trying some? Well, there’s no better way to do so than by going straight to the source and purchasing a bottle to take home. Some groves even offer tours, letting you get a closer look at the entire process (before sampling the tasty oil for yourself, of course).

Browse our full range of affordable Puglia holidays, today, to book your next exciting getaway and get a taste of this area’s locally-produced olive oil.