What are monovarietal olive oils?
Monovarietal olive oils are oils produced only with a certain variety of olives.
Why was it not common to find monovarietal olive oils before?
Let’s put ourselves in situation. In Spain, most of the olive oil produced is produced by cooperatives1.
In the past, farmers brought their olives to the cooperative where they were mixed and ground together without separating varieties. Today this procedure is still being carried out, although in recent years, with the installation of small oil presses, the varieties that are ground are controlled and separated, thus appearing or creating monovarietal oils.
In addition, consumers are learning to identify the characteristics of each variety. Therefore, many cooperatives have modified or are modifying their operation, organizing and identifying the varieties that farmers deliver and grinding each variety individually.
1. Groups, in this case of olive growers, that are associated to produce and sell oil together.