Is among the most famous Spanish varieties. It originates from the town of Arbeca, in the region of Les Garrigues Lleida, where it takes its name. Its origin as the story is in Mallorca. Tradition has it that King James I brought to Catalonia Mallorca and one of his subjects, the Lord of Arbeca, planted this variety in his fiefdom. Others believe he came to the peninsula through the Templars.
It spans the provinces of Tarragona (DO Siurana) and Lleida (DO Les Garrigues) both in the community of Catalonia. It is also present in the provinces of Zaragoza, Huesca, Teruel. The oils covered under the OD of Aragon allowed up to 20% of Arbequina. Utilman, has spread its cultivation in Andalusia.
The Arbequina olives are small, but highly valued for their early entry into production, with an average maturity period between the second week of December and January the second, high productivity and good oil yield, about 20.5% of oil that ranks it among the varieties with higher oil extraction rate.
Are oils that have a fresh fruity aromas of almonds and other fruits. Bitter and sour very little, but nothing, the note of astringency and never appears to have a very smooth entry and provide a tactile feel very nice and delicate almond. The oils could be described as harmonious features, soft, light, delicate, sweet almond and almost always with an aroma of ripe fruit (pureed fruit and apple), in which sometimes exotic aromas peep.
However, it is also the type of oil light green, medium fruity bitter, pungent and sweet. This oil corresponds to the start of the season, when the olives are still green and this feature is obviously reflected in the organoleptic profile of the oil.
Because of its composition are more delicate than other varieties oxidation and once packed very important that they be protected from light and heat. |