Apulia is often associated with its cuisine. Olive oil is one of its most important products, as well as one of its most famous one. Let's take a look at some facts about olive oil in Apulia.

Sacred plant

The olive is present in the symbolism and myths right from prehistoric times, being identified with concepts like peace, strength, and victory. The olive tree was talked about in the book of Genesis. In the Christian religion, the symbolism of the olive twig often crops up as a sign of peace and rebirth. Homer too cited the olive as a symbol of peace and life in his poems. In fact, in Ancient Greece, it was considered as a sacred plant to the extent that anyone who damaged them was punished by exile.

At the Olympics, winners were given a crown of olive twigs and a vial of oil. The Ancient Romans weaved olive twigs to make a crown that they awarded to the most heroic citizens.

Apulia as the best

With its expanses of olive groves, ancient olive-presses and farms, Apulia can lay a claim to being the best in the whole country. Pugliese olive oil is around 40% of Italy’s total production, followed by Calabria at 27%, and third and fourth place goes to Campania and Sicily. 38% of Italy’s land dedicated to harvesting olives is found here.

Historic olive trees

Everything started in the 18th century when the young Charles of Bourbon proposed a reduction in taxes for big landowners in exchange for their help harvesting olives. Pugliese olive groves of those trees planted then; they enabled thousands of farming companies to work today in the sector.

Green gold

The olive tree, an icon of the Mediterranean, is a plant that seems immortal, is generous and has the great ability to adapt itself and prosper even with the most nutrient-deficient soils. Vast expanses of centuries-old olive trees with twisted trunks, true and proper natural sculptures of wood rise from the red land of this region. Every chef knows that Pugliese oil is amongst the best in the world, with its characteristic digestible nature and high vitamin content.

The road of oil

To get to know it up from close and taste it better, you ought to leave from Molfetta and, following the directions, head towards the Road of Olive Oil in “Terra d’Ulivi”, an association that aims to give value to (amongst others) Cima di Bitonto DOP extra virgin olive oil, together with the beauty of the area in which the olives are harvested.

The journey of extra virgin olive oil

To discover Brindisi’s extra virgin olive oil, the place to start is Ostuni, where the headquarters of Gal Alto Salento, the main point of information for olive oil routes, can be found. From here, you can head to the south passing through the various cities of oil. Stop at Carovigno, San Vito dei Normanni, San Michele Salentino, Ceglie Messapica (with a brief extension in Villa Castelli), Cisternino, and Fasano, to then return to Ostuni. Along the road, you can choose between visits to 21 companies that produce extra virgin olive oil (evo). If you do not have much time, along the Ostuni-Cisternino track, the choice reduces to seven farms.

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