Olive Oil Varieties

Hojiblanca

Traditional origin: Spain
Distribution Córdoba, Málaga, Seville, Granada Also: Australia
Cultivation >200,000 ha in Andalusia
Appearance High weight, symmetrical ovoid shape with rounded apex
Harvest & yield: Late ripening; high yield and alternate productivity
Characteristics Oil is rated very highly for its quality and fruitiness, although it has relatively low stability. Commonly used for table olives.
Interesting facts: “Hojiblanca” refers to “white leaf”, indicating the white underside of the leaves of this variety.

Picual

Traditional origin: Spain
Distribution Jaén, Córdoba, Granada Also: Australia
Cultivation >700,000 ha in Spain
Appearance Ovoid, medium weight, asymmetric with round pointed tip
Harvest & yield: Early ripening; high and constant productivity; high oil content
Characteristics Known for high stability, often bitter olive oils
Interesting facts: “Picual” comes from “pico” or “peak” referring to the pointed tip of the olive.

Arbequina

Traditional origin: Spain
Distribution Catalonia, Aragon, Andalusia Also: Argentina, California, Australia
Cultivation >55,000 ha in Catalonia
Appearance Low weight, spherical, symmetric
Harvest & yield: Early harvest; high and constant productivity; high oil content
Characteristics Known for excellent quality and fruity oil, but low in stability
Interesting facts: Due to the low vigour (flexibility) of the tree, this variety is well-suited and often used for intensive and high-density orchards

Cornicabra

Traditional origin: Spain
Distribution Ciudad Real, Toledo, Madrid, Badajoz and Cáceres
Cultivation >270,000ha in central Spain
Appearance Medium weight, elongated, asymmetrical and pointed end
Harvest & yield: Late ripening, high and alternate productivity
Characteristics Known for highly stable, strongly-flavoured, often bitter olive oils
Interesting facts: “Cornicabra” means “goat’s horn” referring to the curved and pointed shape of this olive

Coratina

Traditional origin: Italy
Distribution Puglia Also: Australia, South Africa, South America
Cultivation
Appearance High weight, ovoid, slightly asymmetric
Harvest & yield: Ripens late, variable size, high yield
Characteristics Known for highly stable and strong-flavoured oils

Leccino

Traditional origin: Italy
Distribution Tuscany, Umbria Also: Australia, Jordan, Israel, New Zealand, Argentina
Cultivation
Appearance Medium weight, ovoid, slightly asymmetric
Harvest & yield: Ripens early, high and constant productivity, medium yield
Characteristics Mildly fruity and delicate. Also well suited to table olives
Interesting facts: This variety is self-sterile and needs another variety to pollinate it. Well-suited to colder growing climates.

Nocellara del Belice

Traditional origin: Italy
Distribution Western Sicily Also: India, Pakistan, South Africa
Cultivation
Appearance High weight, spherical, asymmetric
Harvest & yield: Late ripening, high and constant productivity, high flesh content (very suitable for table olives)
Characteristics The oil is rated very highly for quality, being light and perfumed
Interesting facts: “Valle del Belìce” extra-virgin olive oil is pressed from a minimum of 70% Nocellara del Belice olives. There are two different DOP protections for oil made from Nocellara del Belice, one for oil and one for table olives.

Frantoio

Traditional origin: Italy
Distribution Central Italy Also: Australia, California, Chile, Argentina, Spain, Jordan
Cultivation
Appearance Medium weight, ovoid, slightly asymmetric
Harvest & yield: Ripens late in phases, high and constant productivity, medium oil content
Characteristics Well known for producing very fruity and aromatic Tuscan oils that are stable over time.
Interesting facts: Self-fertile, but the presence of a pollinator will increase fruit production