OLIVE HARVEST IN CROATIA
Today we take you to the world of olives, a place full of good smells and silence.
Firstly, you need to know that we are on Dugi otok, one of the best islands in Croatia, the most external in the Zadar archipelago with many hours of sunshine throughout the year. Secondly the custom to care for olive trees here exists for generations. In fact, every family in Dugi otok has a small olive grove handed down from father to son. Therefore, taking care of the ancient trees has a deep meaning that brings people and feelings together.
Definitely getting together with family and friends on autumn days to pick fruit from the old trees is an established tradition.
For the same reason as we prepare the materials we need, we are excited because we, too, have an olive grove from which grandmother already harvested her fruits.
The olive harvest
For instance we start with the harvest around the middle of October when one third of the olives on the tree have reached maturity.
First, however, we must remember that our neighbour, known in Croatia for his excellent extra virgin olive oil, gives us many tips. For example, we learn that unripe olives give an oil tending toward green with a bitter and spicy flavour. In the same way, ripe olives produce a yellow oil with a less intense flavour.
Olive harvest a story of fragrance
Immediately we load the wheelbarrow with large nets that we then spread out under the olive trees. Because this way the olives do not fall directly onto the ground and are easier to pick. Then we arrange ourselves around the tree and each person takes a section of the plant. Certainly, we have rakers that allow us to comb the branches and pick off the olives on the upper parts of the tree.
Without a doubt we still like to pick the olives by hand, in the simplest and most archaic way. In this situation we end up hugging entire parts of the branch and our noses are constantly in contact with the scents of the plant.
Positively we are amazed at how many olives there are on each tree. Absolutely even more peculiar is the sensation of feeling these small smooth fruits sliding on the palm of the hand. Hence, given the feeling of pure well-being, it occurs to us to write the following blog because harvesting olives is an action that puts one in a great mood.
Olive harvest season in Croatia
Indeed we know that we are lucky to have all our olive trees on flat land without obstacles. For example, friends on the islands of the nearby Kornati National Park
face great difficulties in harvesting olives. To begin from a practical point of view they must toil like crazy. On this occasion imagine them start from the island of Dugi otok and then dock on the islets, often without piers, with the worry of damage the hull and the risk of get hurt as well. Following this they must unload the boat from tools and climb over rough terrain to reach the olive trees growing among stones and rocks. Afterward they carry the precious and very heavy harvest by hand to the boat. Finally, they must transport the olives from the boat to the car to reach the olive mill.
Undeniably this is a crazy effort based only on the help of their own muscles.
Positively more and more people are talking about the extra virgin olive oil from Croatia
,as in this article because its quality is excellent, while the processing remains archaic.
From olives to olive oil
Again to return to our olives, which are finally all on the ground we split them from the stalk and discard leaves and twigs. Besides we notice many tiny insects running all over the place, which until a few moments before were quiet on the plant.
Because of the different varieties of trees, we have very distinct olives in shape, size, and colour. However, we are especially proud to see all the fruits in the baskets and are ready to take them to the mill.
Olive harvesting in Dugi otok
Still we do not manage to collect all the olives in one day. In brief we transfer them to containers with sea water, as is the custom in Croatia for many years. As a result, the olives are preserved without losing their qualities until the day of pressing.
Finally everything is ready for the journey. At this time, we load the olives onto our trailer and leave for the olive press in Sali, a village in the south of Dugi otok. Here the pressing takes place quickly and professionally.
Immediately there they weight the olives, then they throw them into a machine that separates the fruit from impurities. Thereafter, another machine washes them. Afterwards, a large one squeezes and grinds the olives at low temperature. Soon we see the extra virgin olive oil coming out, yellow green in colour and smelling wonderfully.
Obviously, we cannot resist the temptation and immediately pour it on pieces of bread. Without a doubt it seems to be the best thing we have ever tasted! Moreover, a friend uncorks a bottle of wine, and the day ends on a high note.
Of course it was a wonderful adventure, and we are already looking forward to repeating it next year!
Vacation on one of best islands in Croatia during olive harvest
On the whole discovering ourselves as small olive oil producers fascinates and pleases us. Meanwhile we decide to beautify the property with more olive trees around the
vacation rental Gorgonia Apartments on the island Dugi otok, also to create a more welcoming space for guests.
In brief come in October to experience it!
On the whole we love to prepare good dishes from this olive oil, which is one of the best in the Mediterranean since it is chemical-free and pressed only once. A real delight!
