Why Hand-Picking And Cold Pressing Are Vital For Best Olive Oil

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Morocco Gold Sets New Standards Of Quality Olive Oil Production

Woman Harvesting Olives In The Atlas Mountains
Woman Harvesting Olives In The Atlas Mountains

From the earliest days of introducing Morocco Gold as a premium quality extra virgin olive oil, our team have worked tirelessly to achieve one key goal: to consistently produce Moroccan extra virgin olive oil which sets new standards of authenticity and production from planting our olive trees right through to packaging and delivery.

Hand Picking of our olives and cold pressing are two of the most important elements in the production of Morocco Gold and contribute so much to the unique flavour and health benefits of the end product. 

The exceptionally high quality of Morocco Gold extra virgin olive oil is the result of care and attention to detail throughout the entire production process but let’s dig a little deeper in to these two key features:

1/ Why Is Handpicking Of Olives Important For The Best Olive Oil?

Evoo Key Facts
Hand Picked Olives For Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Olives from the Beni-Mellal region have been grown for centuries using traditional farming methods and are all handpicked during harvest time. This includes ground-work and tillage which is carried out once or twice a year.

The gorgeously picturesque area in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains where we source our fabulous extra virgin olive oil is hilly and the distribution of the olive trees preclude the use of the types of mechanized harvesting machinery that has caused such concern. This is why handpicked harvesting is of importance to the quality and the provenance of extra virgin olive oil.

Fruiting sizing and assessment of the maturity of the olive is carried out annually.  The planned date of harvest is agreed based on the maturity of the olives, also the generations of experience of the olive farmers. Morocco Gold olives are hand-harvested early in the season when the fruit is young.

The handpicked harvesting is carried out using nets and tarpaulins which are placed on the ground to avoid contact between the olives and the ground.

By handpicking olives in this way, we are also protecting local wildlife.  Many harvesters across Italy, Spain and France suck olives from trees using machines, and do this at night, which means sleeping birds who think they have found sanctuary in the olive branches are dazzled by the bright lights and sucked to their deaths.

Why Is Cold Pressing So Important For Extra Virgin Olive Oil?

Cold Pressing is a common way to make extra virgin olive oil that removes the need for heat or chemicals.  Morocco Gold is made exclusively from olives which are cold pressed within 24 hours of picking ensuring an incredibly rare, extra virgin olive oil of exceptional quality, extraordinary health benefits and a taste like none other.

Cold pressing involves crushing olives in to a paste, then applying force to separate the oil from the pulp.  Strict European food standards dictate those temperatures cannot exceed 81 ̊F (27 ̊C) in order to be categorised as ‘cold pressed’.  By using the cold pressing method, olive oil can better retain its nutritional value by avoid heat-induced break down of beneficial plant compounds (including Polyphenols). 

A recent article from Healthline lists no fewer than 12 benefits and uses of cold pressed olive oil.  These include the high numbers of nutrients, antioxidants and healthy fats – specifically oleic acid, omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.

According to Healthline,  cold pressed extra virgin olive oil is:

Loaded with healthy fats, vitamins E and K, and several antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.  These nutrients may promote brain and heart health, in addition to other benefits.  You many stand to gain the most if you use cold pressed olive oil in place of other fats, such as lard, butter or margarine.

Olive Oil Picker
Olive Oil Picker

Here’s a reminder of just how many good reasons there are to buy a bottle of Morocco Gold:

  • Each 500ml Bottle / 16.9 Fl Oz USA has an exceptionally low Acidity Level of 0.2%  as well as the highest Polyphenols To Date: 644mg/kg

Morocco Gold is:

  • A rare ultra-premium extra virgin olive oil from a new, undiscovered source.
  • Simply the best Picholine Marocaine olives, selected early in the season, handpicked and cold pressed within 24 hours of picking.
  • No mixing or blending with other oils to ensure genuine extra virgin olive oil quality.
  • The end result is a ‘liquid gold‘: an incredibly rare, extra virgin olive oil of exceptional quality, extraordinary health benefits and a taste like none other.
  • Multiple Gold award winner for its green fresh fruity taste, with hints of sweet almonds, fresh turf and herbs.
  • Rich in health enhancing polyphenols, to deliver the many health benefits of a high-quality Extra Virgin olive oil.
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