Olive oil has a rich history in Spain and even today the importance of olive oil to Spanish culture is ingrained in every meal.
Spain has the best climate in the world for growing olives, which makes Spanish olive oil one of the most important products to the Spanish agricultural food industry.
With 6000 years of history, a great diversity of olive growing micro-climates and now producing over 260 olive varieties to become the world’s largest producer and exporter of olive oil. Spain is the world leader when it comes to olive oil.
List of Varieties:
| Hojiblanca |
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Region of Spain
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Seville, Malaga, Cordoba
|
 |
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Flavour
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Bittersweet, fruity, slightly pungent
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Suggested Use
|
Pastries and cakes, frying, sautés, casseroles
|
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| Arbequina |
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Region of Spain
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Catalonia, Alto Aragon
|
 |
|
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Flavour
|
Fruity/herbaceous, sweet, green almond aftertaste
|
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Suggested Use
|
Salads, vegetables, grilled fish
|
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| Picual |
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Region of Spain
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Cordoba, Seville, Cadiz, Malaga, Huelva
|
 |
|
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Flavour
|
Peppery, bitter, slightly woody
|
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Suggested Use
|
Meat dishes, frying, stews, salads, gazpacho
|
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| Lechin |
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Region of Spain
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Cordoba, Seville, Cadiz, Malaga, Huelva
|
 |
|
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Flavour
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Green almonds, bitter, some pungency
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Suggested Use
|
Crisp fried food, sweets, tapas
|
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| Empeltre |
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Region of Spain
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Bajo Aragon, Tarragona, Baleares
|
 |
|
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Flavour
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Very sweet, slightly fruity, no bitterness or pungency
|
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Suggested Use
|
Versatile, marinades, cold sauces, boiled/steamed food, stews
|
|
| Carrasqueña |
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Region of Spain
|
Cordoba, Badajoz
|
 |
|
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Flavour
|
Fruity, hint of sweet apple, initial pungency and fresh aftertaste
|
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Suggested Use
|
Dressings and sauces, vegetables, steamed food
|
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| Cornicabra |
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Region of Spain
|
Toledo, Ciudad Real
|
 |
|
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Flavour
|
Fruity, initial sweetness followed by bitter taste with some pungency
|
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Suggested Use
|
Dressings, soups, sauces and marinades, game dishes, roasted and stewed vegetables
|
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| Picudo |
|
Region of Spain
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Cordoba, Jaen, Granada, Malaga
|
|
|
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Flavour
|
Great balance, really sweet, apple and almond tastes
|
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Suggested Use
|
Gazpacho. warm salads, stews, pastries and cakes
|
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| Verdial |
|
Region of Spain
|
Badajoz, Malaga
|
 |
|
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Flavour
|
Very fruity, sweet without bitterness
|
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Suggested Use
|
Dressings, salads, steamed foods, gazpacho
|
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| Morisca |
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Region of Spain
|
Extremadura
|
|
|
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Flavour
|
Fruity, some pepper, slight bitterness and pungency
|
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Suggested Use
|
Dressings, frying, cold sauces, gazpacho
|
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