Royal olive oil is one of the most appreciated by experts, however, its cultivation has some drawbacks that have displaced it in favor of the Picual olive. Currently, it is only cultivated in its native region: the regions of Cazorla and Quesada, in the province of Jaén.
Characteristics of the royal olive
The most striking feature of the Royal olive is its remarkable size and the truly appetising reddish colour of its oval fruit. Despite the high production of these olive trees, their oil yield is low and their harvesting is somewhat complicated due to the brittleness of its wood and the resistance of the fruit to detaching from the branch.
Cultivation of the royal olive: a small heroic act
For all these reasons, many farmers have switched to the Picual olive, which is a cheaper (and equally delicious) olive oil. However, the quality of Royal oil has led some olive mills, including Castillo de Canena, to try to revive it.
Royal olive oil tasting
The main characteristic of Royal olive oil is its absence of bitterness. This gives way to a variety of truly outstanding nuances: from the fruity notes that we might imagine in early-harvest Picual oils such as Yo, Verde to the sweet aromas of the best Arbequinos. These notes vary depending on the time of harvest, which decisively influences the tasting of the oil.
Royal Olive Oil Pairing
The versatile characteristics of Royal olive oil make it truly versatile when it comes to combinations. It is recommended as a base for raw sauces to which it can impart its flavour nuances, but it is also a fantastic dressing for bread, salads and vegetables, as well as for stews that take longer to cook.
Try royal olive oil
Its later harvest means that it is not available when the more recognised varieties are, so when the boom of the new harvests of the other varietals has already passed, the new Royal harvest is at its best. However, if you enjoy cooking with extra virgin olive oil you have to try Royal.
At OrigenOliva we have selected for you the best royal olive oils from two of the leading olive oil mills. Don't forget to try them .
