Early harvest extra virgin olive oil is prized for its fresh flavour, vibrant colour and naturally high polyphenol content. Harvested while the olives are still green, this style of olive oil is widely regarded as one of the highest-quality forms of extra virgin olive oil available.
Key Points At A Glance
- Early harvest olive oil is made from olives picked while still green
- It typically has a stronger, fresher and more peppery flavour
- Early harvesting helps preserve natural polyphenols
- Morocco Gold uses early harvested Picholine Marocaine olives
- Lower oil yield often means higher quality and more concentrated flavour
If you’ve been browsing premium olive oils like Morocco Gold, you’ve likely seen the term “Early Harvest” splashed across the label.
But what does that actually mean for your salad dressing, and why is New Harvest worth the hype? Let’s break down why timing is everything when it comes to the perfect pour.
What Exactly Is “Early Harvest” Olive Oil
In plain language, early harvest means picking the olives before they are fully ripe.
Think of a banana: there is a window where it’s green and firm before it turns yellow and soft. Most olives are harvested when they are purple or black (fully ripe) because they are easier to juice. However, an early harvest oil like Morocco Gold uses olives picked while they are still green and youthful.
It’s a more difficult process, but the results are world-class.
Why the Early Bird Gets the Best Olive Oil
You might wonder why anyone would pick an “unripe” fruit. The reason is simple: Quality over quantity. As an olive ripens, its oil content increases, but its flavour and nutrient density start to fade. By harvesting early, producers capture the olive at its peak physiological state.
Here is why that “Early Harvest” bottle stands out:
- Stronger, Grassy Flavor: Early harvest oil doesn’t taste like “fat”; it tastes like plants. You’ll notice notes of green grass, tomato leaf, and even green apple.
- More Intense Taste: If you’ve ever felt a slight “tickle” or peppery kick in the back of your throat when tasting Morocco Gold, that’s a good thing! That intensity is a hallmark of fresh, early-picked olives.
- The Polyphenol Factor: While we won’t dive into a science lecture, harvesting early preserves a higher concentration of polyphenols. These are the natural compounds that give the oil its stability and that signature vibrant bite.
Early Harvest vs Late Harvest Olive Oil
There is a reason why Early Harvest extra virgin olive oil is considered a luxury. Because the olives are picked early, they haven’t developed their full oil potential yet.
| Harvest Type | Oil Yield | Flavour Profile | Polyphenol Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Harvest | Lower yield | Fresh, grassy, peppery | Typically higher |
| Late Harvest | Higher yield | Milder, buttery, mellow | Typically lower |
Why this matters: To produce a single bottle of Morocco Gold, the farmers have to use significantly more olives than a mass-market producer would. You are getting a “concentrated” version of the fruit’s best attributes. It’s the difference between a fresh-squeezed glass of orange juice and one made from concentrate.
Why Polyphenols Matter In Early Harvest Olive Oil
Polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds found in extra virgin olive oil. They contribute to the oil’s fresh flavour, peppery finish and stability. Early harvest olive oils are often valued for their naturally higher polyphenol levels because the olives are picked before full ripening occurs.
The Morocco Gold Difference
Morocco Gold sources its oil from the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, where the Picholine Marocaine olives are harvested at the start of the season. This ensures that every bottle delivers that “New Harvest” punch—a bright, golden-green hue and a flavour profile that can transform a simple piece of crusty bread into a gourmet meal. Our latest new harvest olive oil has an acidity level of 0.19% – which is the lowest we have ever achieved and our polyphenol level is 606mg/kg – again – well above the health benefits level of 250mg/kg.
Pick up your supply of Morocco Gold’s New Harvest olive oil today.
