Best Olive Trees in Palestine Varieties

What is the best variety of Olive trees in Palestine? To find out that information, you will need to read this entire article. Here we go!

About Olives and Olive Oil in Palestine

Olive harvesting is a spectacular event in Palestine. Usually, olive harvesting in Palestine is a family affair. The entire family must participate in harvesting the plant and collectively benefit from it by obtaining their olive stock for the year and then selling some for the family income. According to the research, olive harvesting is a main source of income for a large sector of the Palestinian population. In fact, 80% of the farmed land in Palestine is olive trees. Palestinian olive gardens are keep as part of the family legacy. Also, it passed on through generations. Some Olive trees in Palestinian gardens are more than 2,000 years old.

Best varieties of Olive Trees in Palestine

Due to its distinctive taste and taste, the Palestinian olive tree especially olive oil is known throughout the world. Overall, the quality and taste of olive oil from Palestine is affected by lots of factors, including the kind of the Olive tree, region, caring methods, handling methods, and the level of ripeness of the olive trees.

Based on the research, most of the Palestinian olives are from the Palestinian native tree. Here are the best varieties of Olive trees in Palestine:

The baladi or nabali
The souri
The mallisi

Those three varieties give some of the highest quality olive oil in the world. In Palestine, most Olive tree farmers who tried this kind of Olive tree are now cutting the trees. Later, they put back the native baladi on the trunk.

Factor that affects the quality and taste of the olive oil in Palestine

As we explained in the previous paragraph, the quality and taste of olive oil from Palestine is affected by lots of factors, including the kind of the Olive tree, region, caring methods, handling methods, and the level of ripeness of the olive trees. Climate is another factor which affects the quality and taste of the olive oil. Need to know that the Palestinian landscape offers one of the most diverse landscapes in a small area. Such variety is reflected in the varieties of olive oil produced. In fact, it is able to differ from one side of the mountain to the other. Quality, taste and yield are usually affected by the amount of sun and wind for example the south side of the mountain rather than the north side.

Also, different regions produce different varieties of olive oil. In the North, Jenin region produces medium olive oil with green color. The Arraba Valley provides an average yield of 22 percent covering some of the main olive producing villages in the Jenin area such as Arraba, Berqin, Yabad and Qabatya. And in late October or early November the olives in the Jenin area ripen.

The Olive Trees care in Palestine

Most Palestinian olive oil is organic. And from the information obtained that the majority of Palestinian farmers use traditional ways of caring for olive trees. To produce the highest quality Olive oil and best flavor, The Palestine Fair Trade program always supports the traditional caring methods. For your information, the Palestine Fair Trade program does not accept oil other than from the indigenous tree under natural care.

Palestinian olive oil is much loved around the world. It offers a full flavour texture which is very smooth and flavourful. Italian olive oil fans are among the highest European importers of Palestinian olive oil.

Good variety of Olives around the world

Here are some good variety of olives around the world:

Kalamata

Kalamata is the best-known Greek olive. Its color is deep purple. It is often preserved in red wine. Sometimes you are able to find black or red Kalamatas.

Castelvetrano

Castelvetrano is the best-known Italian olive. It is light green, mild and meaty.

Manzanilla

Manzanilla is one of Spain’s most popular varieties, and often with a pimento inside.

Beldi

Beldi is the Moroccan olive dry-cured in salt. It is black, chewy, shriveled, and with an intense flavor. You are able to mix Beldi olives with mild cheeses, fruit, and white wines. Also, it is very good on pizza, although difficult to pit.

Gordal

Gordal is frequently called jumbo olives. It comes from Sevillia, Spain, and they are cured while green. They are handy for stuffing with almonds, cheese, or cured meat. Anything you think will taste well inside these big olives.

Picholine

Picholine is small, green, and with a nutty flavor. This olive originated in France, but they are now grown all over the world.

Suri olives

Suri olives originated in Lebanon. This olive is considered to be one of the oldest varieties. It is harvested green and produces a peppery oil.

Barnea

Barnea is an olive variety claimed by Israel. But, at this time, Barnea olive is grown in Australia and Argentina too.

Gaeta

Gaeta comes from Italy. They are small and oval-shaped. Black Gaetas are salt-cured, that gives them a wrinkled texture. After curing, Gaeta olives are stored in olive oil.

Leccino

Leccino olives came from Tuscany. And they are cultivated around the world today. Leccino olives have a light brown skin and a unique sweet or spicy flavor.