Latest Reasons Why Morocco Is The Best Source For Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Updated March 23rd 2024
Summary
- Recent article listed eight key benefits of choosing Moroccan Extra Virgin Olive Oil over the Mediterranean alternatives.
- The best quality Moroccan extra virgin olive oil has exceptionally high levels of polyphenols – a wonderful antioxidant that brings a multitude of health benefits.
- Morocco’s diverse climate and fertile land make it ideal for cultivating olive trees and producing an extra virgin olive oil that stands out remarkably in terms of both flavour and nutritional value.
- Morocco Gold is proud to support the empowerment of Moroccan women through employment in the agricultural sector.
Contents
- The Eight Reasons Moroccan Extra Virgin Olive Oil Beats Its Mediterranean Alternatives.
- Reasons To Choose Moroccan Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- The Health Benefits Of Moroccan Extra Virgin Olive Oil Are Incredible
- The Moroccan Climate Is Made For Olive Production
- Moroccan Extra Virgin Olive Oil Production Supports Women In Agriculture
1/ The Eight Reasons Moroccan Extra Virgin Olive Oil Beats Its Mediterranean Alternatives.
When you think of high-quality extra virgin olive oil, countries like Italy, Spain, and Greece might come to mind. However, health-conscious gourmands are rapidly discovering that Moroccan extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) offers a superior experience that eclipses its Mediterranean rivals in taste, quality, and health benefits. Here, we explore the compelling reasons why Moroccan extra virgin olive oil is earning its place at the top of the olive oil hierarchy.
A recent article in Olive.com listed eight benefits of using Moroccan Olive Oil (rather than one of the long-standing Mediterranean alternatives). The team at Morocco Gold believe that our source in the foothills of The Atlas Mountains provides the finest olive oil you can buy and we want to remind you why.
Moroccan’s attitude towards the precious olive is summarised perfectly in this extract from Olive.com:
For those who have travelled to Morocco, it’s an easy concept to understand. You’ll see olives tossed in harissa, a fiery local spice, and placed on the table for pre-dinner snacking. You’ll find them in a tagine, adding some salty umani to the local stew. You’ll pass them while wandering through the maze-like souks, shimmering and piled high outside of market stalls.
Olive.com
And, with such an intense love of their home-grown olives, it’s easy to see why Morocco has now risen to be the sixth largest supplier of extra virgin olive oil in the world. But it’s far from being just about quantity. For Moroccans – and most definitely for Morocco Gold – it’s all about quality.
Put simply, Morocco Gold is produced with love, knowledge and an artistry passed from generation to generation to create this rare Extra Virgin olive oil of exceptional quality.
2/ Reasons To Choose Moroccan Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3/ The Health Benefits Of Moroccan Olive Oil Are Incredible
Although it is fair to assume that most high-quality extra virgin olive oil will bring health benefits aplenty, there is growing evidence that Moroccan Olive Oil – and specifically Morocco Gold has exceptionally high levels of polyphenols – a wonderful antioxidant. In particular, oleocanthal-rich Moroccan extra virgin olive oil may help slow or halt the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
4/ The Moroccan Climate Is Made For Olive Production
Morocco’s diverse climate and fertile land make it ideal for cultivating olive trees. The temperate weather, with its hot summers and cold winters, combined with the specificity of Moroccan soil, endows Moroccan EVOO with a distinct taste profile that can’t be found elsewhere. The result is an olive oil that stands out remarkably in terms of both flavour and nutritional value.
Nestling in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, the Beni-Mellal region, about 200km from Marrakesh, produces olive oils of nationwide reputation, but are currently little-known outside of Morocco – until now. The quality of the olive oil produced in Morocco is now being recognised through a recent survey by the International Olive Oil Council. The unique geology and micro-climate of this remote and unspoiled valley provide the perfect conditions for growing Morocco Gold extra virgin olive oil olives.
Moroccan Olive Oil Is Winning Awards!
Yes, we are proud to say that the extraordinary quality and standards of extra virgin olive oil production is being recognised by experts in the industry. Throughout 2020, Morocco won three awards at the NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition – a real mark of respect from the international olive oil community. Among the qualities on which olive oil is judged are: fruitiness, pungency, complexity, harmony, bitterness and persistence. Oil such as Morocco Gold, from the Picholine Marocaine, is renowned for its distinctive green fruitiness, hints of sweet almonds, fresh turf and a hint of herbs. Morocco Gold itself has even picked up a prestigious award for its luxury packaging – demonstrating that attention to every detail is in our DNA!
Production Of Moroccan Olive Oil Is Increasing
While Morocco’s expertise in extra virgin olive oil production may come as a surprise to some, the country actually has a rich history of olive cultivation dating back thousands of years. This historical expertise translates into the careful nurturing of olive groves and expertise in extraction methods that maintain the pure essence and health benefits of the oil.
History tells us that olive trees have been growing in Morocco since ancient times – possibly as early as the 9th millennium BCE. Indeed, olive oil has long been considered a noble food by the local population. However, until relatively recently, the quality of Moroccan olive oil is relatively little known outside of the country. But this is changing all of the time. According to the International Olive Oil Council, Morocco is now the sixth-largest producer of olive oil in the world. Morocco produced 145,000 tons of olive oil in 2019 – a major increase from the 36,000 tons produced in 1991.
5/ Moroccan Extra Virgin Olive Oil Production Supports Women In Agriculture
In today’s world, sustainability, and ethical production matter more than ever. Moroccan olive oil producers generally adhere to traditional harvesting methods that respect the land and the trees. In many cases, these olive groves are family-run affairs, where generations have been investing their time and love, ensuring the survival and quality of their treasured product.
According to the International Olive Council, olive growing provides more than 51 million working days every year, which equates to 380,000 jobs – 20% of which are held by women. Morocco Gold is produced by a cooperative which actively encourages women into agriculture. Morocco’s agricultural sector employs approximately 40% of the nation’s workforce; women comprising nearly half of these employees. Employment in agriculture has been shown to be at least twice as effective in reducing poverty as growth in other sectors. It is known to reduce poverty directly by raising farm incomes, generating employment and reducing food prices.
In today’s world, sustainability, and ethical production matter more than ever. Moroccan olive oil producers generally adhere to traditional harvesting methods that respect the land and the trees. In many cases, these olive groves are family-run affairs, where generations have been investing their time and love, ensuring the survival and quality of their treasured product.
Morocco Gold is proud to support the empowerment of Moroccan women through employment in the agricultural sector.
The sumptuous flavour, along with unparalleled health benefits and commitment to quality production, situates Moroccan extra virgin olive oil in a league of its own. Whether you’re dressing a salad, cooking a meal, or just dipping bread, incorporating this golden elixir into your kitchen repertoire is sure to enrich your diet and tantalize your taste buds.
If you’ve yet to experience the wonder of Moroccan EVOO, there has never been a better time to explore this liquid gold. Discover the health benefits of Moroccan extra virgin olive oil for yourself and elevate your culinary adventures to a whole new level of excellence.
Now that you’ve peeked into the olive groves of Morocco, it’s time to taste the difference. Your health, and your palate, will thank you for making the switch to the sunny flavors and robust quality of Moroccan extra virgin olive oil.