Have you ever wondered which is the mildest extra virgin olive oil? Of the different olive oils that we find in Spain, the Arbequina variety is the smoothest of them all. In this light and balanced oil, the aroma nuances of dried fruits and ripe fruits such as apple and banana predominate. Moreover, due to its slight bitterness and spiciness, it’s the perfect product to use with any type of dish, whether sweet or salty. Did you know about the versatility of the Arbequina variety? Let us talk more about its different virtues:
Everything you need to know about the Arbequina olive variety and its oil:
- What is Arbequina extra virgin olive oil?
- What are the characteristics of arbequina oil?
- What uses does the olive oil of this variety have?
1. What is Arbequina extra virgin olive oil?
Arbequina olive oil is obtained from the Arbequina olive, a small quality fruit with an excellent fat yield and is very aromatic. Although its origin takes us to present-day Palestine, this is one of the olive varieties that you will find mostly in Catalonia, in provinces such as Tarragona and Lleida where it began to be cultivated and from whose town, Arbeca, it’s named after. In addition, Arbequina is highly present in Mallorca and more and more in regions of Andalusia.
Like other olive oils, Arbequina has a considerable amount of polyphenols and antioxidants and a high percentage of oleic acid, thanks to which it’s possible to reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase good cholesterol (HDL). As you may know, in diets such as the Mediterranean, the consumption of extra virgin olive oil over other fat sources has proven to have multiple health benefits.
But, in addition, the intrinsic features of this olive provide the consumer with many more advantages, so let’s discover other organoleptic properties from this olive oil variety, especially the Arbequina extra virgin olive oil:
2. What are the characteristics of arbequina oil?
Like the olive from which it comes, arbequina extra virgin oil is a very fragrant olive juice, with fruity touches. Since it has a very light spicy and bitterness, it can also be considered harmoniously sweet, hence it’s the perfect olive oil variety to use with any type of culinary elaborations and for any palate.
More specifically, bananas and even ripe apples are the notes that can be most appreciated in the arbequina olive oil. In addition, at the olfactory level, this oil can remind you of fresh artichoke, nuts such as almonds, even aromatic herbs. Of course, everything depends on the peculiarities of each region.
For example, ours is an oil that’s obtained from the olive harvest in the veraison (between October and November) when the fruit is almost green, and it’s possible to guarantee a higher concentration of polyphenols and natural antioxidants. This way, we can offer the maximum complexity of aroma and flavour coming from the fruit.