THERE ARE OLIVES....

.....And Then There Are Olives

It started about 110 years ago when the first two varieties of olives (Mission and Sevillanos) were planted in Corning, California. Now the Chamber of Commerce proclaims Corning as the "Olive Capital of the World", with nearly 100 varieties.

Farmers still produce the staples of cocktail and canned olives but new markets call for new products. The Lucero brand of Extra Virgin olive oils comes from one such grower. Dewey Lucero is the third generation of his family to grow and the first to step them into the relatively new market (for the US) of specialty olive oils.

To get an idea of the size of this growing market, their website lists not just 8 varieties of Extra Virgin oil but a nearly identical number of flavored oils, nine kinds of balsamic vinegars and yet more with tapenades (dips/spreads), new line of mustards and, hold me back, a "Chocolate Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil".

The manufacture of Extra Virgin seems simple on the face of it as it is the first press of olives that yields that kind of oil. However the Lucero family has been successful in blending the science with enough art that they have scored numerous gold medals in exhibitions around the globe. Last month they earned two golds from an international competition in Japan. Lucero already has a thriving mail order business (above), now they have expanded into the the retail side with their first store in Portland, Oregon. 

We speak of "Ancient Forests" and think of redwood but there are olive trees in the Old World that have been producing an annual crop for over 3,000 years! Here in Northern California trees from plantings made over 100 years ago are still producing premium olives. 

Science has kept up with the growing of the crop as well. As the demand for more olives has increased, the shape and nature of the groves has changed. Above is a young but producing grove. Note trees are trained to grow upright (no canopy) and in closer proximity.  No longer do trees and olives have to be hand pruned or picked, mechanical groomers and pickers have taken over. 

So next time you think olives, don't assume most are meant for your martini. Far more varieties of them want to be counted as your gourmet olive.