Author: desarrollosidn

There is a wide variety of olive trees in the Mediterranean. In Spain there are several different varieties of olive trees for both olive oil production and table olives. Do you know what the most typical Spanish olive trees are?

The most important Spanish olive trees for producing oil

Among the Spanish olive trees that produce oil, Picual is one of the most important varieties, since it occupies a large area of land and also has a high yield. This type of olive tree is mainly found in Jaén, although there are also some in Seville, Cordoba and Granada.

The second variety of Spanish olive trees in terms of land occupied is the Cornicabra olive tree, which also owes its success to its high yield. This oil is mainly produced in the area of Castilla-La Mancha.

There is also the Hojiblanca olive variety. These Spanish olive trees produce high quality oil in Malaga, Seville and Granada.Olive oil obtained from the Manzanilla variety has a very special flavor and aroma, and it is mainly produced in the Seville region.

Finally, the Arbequina olive tree is well known for the type of oil it produces. It has an unmistakable fruity and sweet taste and is a high quality oil. This type of olive tree is typical of Catalonia.

These are the most important Spanish olive trees due to their high production of oil and table olives, as well as for their high quality. Each type of oil brings something different to your dishes. Check out the flavor of the Spanish varieties at your table, you’ll love them!

The amount of time we waste in the supermarket deciding between different products is one of the reasons why we don’t like shopping. However, buying olive oil isn’t difficult, especially if you take into account these 4 easy-to-remember factors.

1. The type of oil

To start with, the best olive oil is extra virgin olive oil: this is the only one that preserves all the nutritional properties of olive oil. Those that are simply called “olive oil” go through a refining process that destroys many of their natural vitamins and antioxidants.

2. The best before date

EVOO is an excellent oil because it is quite stable, and this helps it take a long time to degrade. However, when buying olive oil, the main thing is that the best before date is well after the time of purchase. Like any product: The fresher, the better!

3. The bottle

Sunshine and light from supermarkets cause the oil to deteriorate, which means the best before date may be earlier than you might think. So the best olive oil should always be packaged in a dark bottle so that the light does not affect it.

4. How you’re going to use it

There are many types of olive oil, and each one gives a special flavor to your dishes. Think about what you are going to cook before buying olive oil. For example, Carbonell Magna Oliva oil works well with fish and food eaten with a spoon; Carbonell Extra Virgin Olive Oil is perfect for cold dishes; and Carbonell Special Selection works very well for cold dishes as well as with meats and stews.

As you can see, these 4 things are quite simple. You don’t need to read the labels, because if it is an extra virgin olive oil, the quality of the product is assured. Enjoy good health and a few minutes less in the supermarket by choosing Carbonell olive oil.

There are various procedures that can be used to obtain Olive Oil. The most artisanal and the healthiest is to obtain it without using high temperatures in the course of its production. Many dietitians and doctors recommend cold extracted oil, because it ensures that all its properties remain intact, which also ensures that the oil is the highest quality.

What does ‘cold extracted’ mean?

A cold extracted Olive Oil is an oil that has been obtained at a temperature below 27ºC (81 F). There are two methods for achieving this: artisanal and the industrial methods.

The artisanal technique is used in small-scale oil production. The olive paste is placed on pressing mats, which are then stacked on top of one another and pressed with a metal plate to extract the liquid from inside. With the industrial method, centrifuges are used that maintain a low temperature, the olive oil being extracted in these little by little.

 

 

These techniques are normally differentiated through the use of different labeling. The oil obtained using the artisanal method is the so-called ‘cold pressed oil’, while the second method described above is ‘cold extracted oil’. Nevertheless, both methods ensure a high quality oil.

Other procedures increase the temperature of the oil in order to obtain it quickly and in greater quantities. However, high temperatures can modify the properties of the oil. Indeed, certain characteristics of the aroma and flavor may end up evaporating and being lost, as may some of the nutritional values of the oil.

That is why it is important to buy a high quality oil: an Extra Virgin Olive Oil obtained through processes that maintain a low temperature. When the properties and the quality of the oil are respected, your health and that of your family are also being respected.

Spanish extra virgin olive oil is, undoubtedly, a guarantee of superior quality. That is why our olive oil is exported and well known internationally. Spain is after all the land of the olive tree. The regions with the most extensive areas of olive groves are Andalusia and Extremadura.

Carbonell oils

Carbonell is one of the most recognized Spanish olive oil brands. Thanks to our olive selection, our extra virgin olive oils are true to tradition and are blessed with excellent quality. In addition, the production of our oil takes special care to protect and conserve the environment. Let me tell you about some of our oils and their origin:

Carbonell Magna Oliva is our most premium oil. This oil comes from Andalusia and is made following a meticulous selection of Andalusian olive varieties, Hojiblanca and Picudo. It has won several awards both nationally and internationally, thanks to its intense flavor and diverse nuances and aromas that classify it as a superior quality oil.

Carbonell Extra Virgin Arbequina is an oil with a Mediterranean soul, its olives coming from the Catalan regions of Lleida and Tarragona. Its sweet character brings fruity aromas to your dishes, making it pair wonderfully with salads containing pieces of fresh fruit.

Carbonell Extra Virgin Hojiblanca is the ideal oil for your daily life. It comes from an extensive area located in the Andalusian regions of Córdoba, Málaga, Sevilla and Granada. And what does it go with? Well, essentially with everything: Meat, fish, salads, toast…

Carbonell Extra Virgin Picual is made from olives from Jaén, a land with a rich tradition in the cultivation of olive groves. In fact, at a culinary level, it is declared to be one of the best varieties in the world. This type of oil is perfect for casseroles and pies, adding a unique flavor to your dishes.

As you no doubt know already, there are several brands of Spanish olive oil, but there are none that compare to Carbonell. Carbonell’s premium range ensures good care of your loved ones, both in its flavor and its healthy properties. If you want to raise your dishes a notch, do so with the flavor of traditional Spanish extra virgin olive oil.

 

Olive trees

I was walking through the countryside surrounded by olive trees, taking in their aroma and imagining how they grow, little by little, to produce the fruits that I enjoy so much. Then I started thinking about how little we know about the raw ingredients of a lot of the foods we eat. So I’ve decided to share with you a little about how olive trees grow, these trees that give us so much nourishment.

How do olive trees grow?

As you know, there are numerous varieties of olive tree in Spain, and each one grows at a different rate. There are olive trees that take three years to bear their first fruits, and others that need up to twelve years. So if you ever decide to grow an olive tree, the most important thing is to cultivate patience.

You should also keep in mind that not all olive trees can grow in the same type of soil or climate. That’s why, when growing olive trees, their different varieties and characteristics must be taken into account so that they grow in the best possible conditions.

Even so, on average, an olive tree can reach a height of over five feet after five years.

Top quality olive trees in Spain

The most abundant olive trees in Spain are those producing Picual olives (nearly 900,000 hectares), which start to give olives three years after being planted. The greater part of the trees yielding this variety are in Jaén, renowned for its olive oil production. It is very easy to grow these olive trees, which can bear colder climates and provide a high, consistent production.

The one thing that stands out from the oil obtained from Picual olives is the high oleic content and its stability.

Another characteristic olive tree in Spain is the Arbequina variety, well represented in Catalonia. There are currently over 70,000 hectares of this type of olive tree.

Olives of the Arbequina variety ripen early. Extra virgin olive oil made from this variety has a mild, sweet, delicate flavor.

Last of all we must speak of the Hojiblanca variety. Córdoba is the province with the highest number of hectares dedicated to these olive trees (ca. 265,000), but they are also found in Seville and Granada.

If the land where you live is arid, you will find it easy to cultivate this variety of olive tree, which is resistant to cold. Just as with Arbequina olives, the extra virgin olive oil from Hojiblanca olives is sweet in flavor.

I recommend that you try Carbonell Arbequina 100%, Carbonell Picual 100% and Carbonell Hojiblanca 100% extra virgin olive oils. Pair different dishes with them and savor their distinct flavors. And, if you wish to grow your own olive tree, remember before planting it that the variety of tree you choose will have its own needs.

 

Do you know why vinegar is good for you?

It’s true that the nutritious properties of vinegar are not as extensive as those of other foods. Vinegar is good for your health and, in my opinion, it is a very interesting ingredient because it can be used in a variety of ways. Today I want to share the properties of white vinegar with you, along with a few dishes that you can add it to.

What is vinegar good for?

Vinegar consumption reduces type 2 diabetes, as it reduces blood sugar levels. Furthermore, as an antimicrobial it helps the body cleanse itself of potential pathogens. It is also an antioxidant, which means it slows down the aging process in the body’s cells. And that’s not all: another reason vinegar is good for your health is that it considerably improves digestion as it eliminates acidity and possible reflux after a large meal.

 

The best dishes made with vinegar

Carbonell white vinegar is my favorite option for cooking. For example, gazpacho, delicious anchovies in vinegar, or a well-dressed salad are an excellent choice for a summer day. You can even use it in desserts: delicious sliced strawberries dusted with sugar and a touch of vinegar are the perfect way to end lunch

As you can see, white vinegar is very good for your health and it is the perfect condiment for your summer dishes. Enjoy this natural antimicrobial in the most delicious ways and experiment with different dishes to add an extra healthy element to your balanced diet.

Uses for white vinegar in the kitchen

White vinegar is used in a wide variety of recipes, for example, for pickling and for making marinades. Today I’ll tell you how to use white vinegar in sauces to go with your favorite dishes. Do you know what chimichurri sauce is? After today, you won’t be able to get enough of this delicious sauce.

Using vinegar to make sauces

Chimichurri sauce comes from Argentina and tastes excellent with grilled meat. It’s easy to make and has a delightful mix of flavors. Vinegar is the heart and soul of this recipe. The ingredients required are:

• 6 ½ cups parsley leaves
• One tablespoon dried oregano
• 4 gloves of garlic
• 2 chili peppers— if you like your food spicy
• One tablespoon of paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• One teaspoon sea salt
• 1 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup Carbonell white vinegar
• Juice of one lemon
• 1/2 cup warm water

 

First, chop the parsley leaves, garlic and chilies as finely as possible. Then, add the warm water and mix to soak all the ingredients. After doing this, add the pepper, salt and paprika. Mix again. Finally, add the vinegar, lemon juice and olive oil. Mix well and pour the sauce into a glass container. Leave it to macerate overnight. Enjoy it the following day!

This delicious sauce can be used to marinate chicken, meat and even fish before cooking. Or it can also be used to accompany cooked dishes.

Using vinegar is very healthy and it can be added to a variety of sauces––good examples include mayonnaise and sweet-and-sour sauce. But I chose this recipe because I’m sure that when you try chimichurri sauce with your favorite dishes, it will change your life.