The Mergaoliva Week is coming to aceitedejaen.es!
During this week, you will find special offers on the brand's products and new packs. Don’t miss out!
But first, we have prepared a very special article for you to get to know the Mergaoliva EVOO brand more deeply, its origin, and what sets it apart, through an interview with Juan José Mercado Gavilán, Area Manager at Mergaoliva.
What was the origin of your olive farm?
The olive farm, like almost everyone living in Jaén, was inherited from our ancestors. However, the farms used to be smaller. Our trade, inherited from my father, was carpentry until about 7 years ago, but we always dreamed of producing oil from our own olive farms.
Our business investment was not only in the furniture industry but also partially in the olive oil sector.
How was the transition to producing and bottling your own oil?
Our first experience was producing in another small mill, which allowed us to see that a good product could be obtained if the processes were carefully managed. We took our freshly harvested olives, and within a few hours, we returned home with our Extra Virgin Olive Oil. We still provide this milling service ourselves since starting this venture.
About 6 years ago, largely due to the last economic crisis in our country, we decided to mill our olives and obtain high-quality EVOO: we decided to found Mergaoliva.
Our aim was not only to produce our EVOO but also to bottle it and market it under our own brand.
What are the most notable achievements of Mergaoliva?
From the beginning, we aimed to reach as many small and medium customers as possible: individual consumers and small shops. We have always sought to highlight the benefits of EVOO and showcase the quality of a product obtained under excellent conditions. And by excellent, we mean everything from the field to bottling and marketing. As they say… "everything adds up."
We always say that our greatest achievement is seeing that almost everyone who tries our EVOO… comes back for more. For us, the best reward is our customers’ satisfaction.
Nevertheless, we are very proud and grateful for the recognitions, mentions, and awards received, such as IberOleum, AOVEs RM “Health and Delight,” Gastronomic Awards “Friends of the Holy Kingdom,” AOVE COPE, and even a Gold at the Mezquita Awards and Jaén Selección.
What sets Mergaoliva apart?
Among other things, being a small family business where everything is done with great care and attention. From the beginning, we decided to give our brand a distinctive touch, producing EVOOs at different stages of olive ripeness: green, turning color, and black with white pulp.
We also stand out for our respect for the olive grove environment and the ecosystem, always taking care of the ground cover and using natural remedies instead of herbicides and pesticides. Once again, we emphasize the importance we give to the final product, considering everything we do before milling.
We also decided to differentiate ourselves by producing balsamic or flavored oils with lemon, orange, and bay. We believe that until now, no one had tried making these products during milling, all naturally and without any additives other than the mentioned fruits or spices.
This last season, we also introduced the acebuchina variety, harvested from wild olive trees. It stands out for its high tocopherol or vitamin E content.
Mergaoliva is undoubtedly family, origin, respect for nature, and great care in making a premium quality EVOO. That is why the Mergaoliva Week is an opportunity you cannot miss to try their exquisite Extra Virgin Olive Oils in the format and variety you prefer with the best discounts. Take advantage!
