Olive Oil, that magical elixir that enhances everything.

Ok, so I'm on a roll today.  Two blogs in one day?  Why not, especially with a particularly crazy week ahead..

On our next adventure, we took a visit to a very small operation, Olive oil press.  This will be a brief blog though.  It was a self guided tour and a very small operation but with an interesting museum.  Al Vecchio Frantoio was founded around the end of the nineteenth century to consolidate the relationship that has always existed between the Bartolomei family and the production of oil.  That is quoted directly from their website.  Now, the really cool thing that we learned about this small operation is that families from around the area, that grow olive trees for their own personal use, can harvest their olives, bring them in to the Bartolomei family, they will process the olives, press and fill vessels with a first press oil, and then charge the family only by liter for their oil.  I mean, you grow your olives, then you reap the rewards of having your own olive oil!

Obviously there is some technology involved, but it's great technology.  The vessel that is processing your olives has an overhead digital reader with your families name on it, and a timer.  This way, there is no mistaking what oil is being processed and pressed.  While we were there, there was a young couple and their child having their olives pressed.  They stayed for the entire process, which now, thanks to technology, does not take long at all.  But it reminded me of a family taking their child to the apple farm, and watching their freshly picked apples being pressed into cider.  It was really cool.

The end result, is a foggy, but pure single press, new oil.  It is not the crystal clear green oil you see in the glass bottles at home.  The flavor, it's intense, pure, and liquid gold.  What really made the visit even more special was witnessing this family have their olives pressed.  Call me sentimental, but it is what it is.

Bartolomei also has their own olive trees and sell their own oil, and other products.  And as I mentioned, they also have a nice museum that describes how things used to be done, compared to how things are done now, but purity and quality is never compromised.  http://www.oleificiobartolomei.it/en/azienda.php

When you walk up to the press, the aroma of olive oil is in the air.  It's not overpowering, but hypnotizing and surprisingly pleasant.  I wanted to buy up the store, but I'm trying to keep my spending in check, I mean, I'll be here for three months.

Next stop on the blog tour of Orvieto, Truffle hunting, a new style of pizza, wine, wine, wine, and a visit to Paris.  Stay tuned!!!

Buona Sera!