The olives of Zakynthos

Much of the island of Zakynthos is filled with olive groves. The groves are really beautiful – with huge, majestic old trees. It is a pleasure to walk around these groves. Every winter the local people are busy harvesting the olives. This is an arduous process of cutting down branches and beating off the olives by hand. Some of the olives are kept aside for eating – they are generally soaked in salted water and preserved for consumption over the following year. Most of the yearly olive crop is used for the production of olive oil. Zakynthos is one of the largest producers of olive oil in Greece. This is the basis of most Greek dishes . The oil here is family made and absolutely delicious! There are two types of olive oil produced: EARLY OLIVE OIL. The extra virgin olive oil of first unripe of the olive fruit has a rich, fruity, spicy smell and a characteristic bitter flavor. Usually it is available in limited quantities and collected from the best olives. Unripe olives, gathered together by hand and not by beating or falling. VIRGIN OLIVE OIL The most natural category of olive oil with perfect smell and flavor. The acidity does not exceed <2.0o and it has a strong fruity flavor and a smell of freshly cut olives. sources: http://zanteoliveoil.blogspot.gr/ http://www.explore-zakynthos.com/zante_