When it comes to olive oil, Spain is the unrivalled international market leader.
The country produces over 40 per cent of the world’s olive oil, and 75 per cent
of that production comes from Andalucía. Now this region – specifically Málaga
province – can make another pacesetting global claim: producer of “the world’s
most exclusive olive oil”.
This exquisite product – limited to 75 bejewelled bottles – was unveiled during
a special press presentation at the La Cartuja Vinacoteca in Marbella, where two
local entrepreneurs, Francisco Ruiz and Alberto González, offered a fascinating
insight into this luxury gastronomic project.
Their ultimate plan is for Olivia (“fruit of the olive”) to be the main flag-bearer
of a brand comprising several top-quality food products – strategically placed
in both national and international outlets.
During the Olivia oil tasting in Marbella (co-presented by David Gallardo from
Doliva and accompanied by specially baked bread from the Panadería La Artesana
de Coín), followed by lunch at the stunningly refurbished 1870 restaurant in
San Pedro de Alcántara, they explained that their “visionary” company Northstar
Design had been set up in 2004, to create Olivia with “the singular goal of producing
the best extra virgin olive oil in the world”.
Their philosophy is based on “the epitome of artisanal knowledge handed down
over the centuries and integrated into a production process devoted to excellence”.
To that end, only olives grown in Mediterranean Spain are used for Olivia’s extra
virgin olive oil (specifically, in this case, from an independently-owned farm in
the northern part of Málaga province); when ripe, the olives are selected and
picked by hand; and 10 experts “dedicate their skill, experience and passion to
obsessively checking every phase of the production process”.
While normal extra virgin oil contains 0.8 per cent free acidity, Olivia is an incredible
0.1 to 0.2 per cent. It has been produced using 100 per cent Arbequina
olive varieties – always from the most recent harvest – with the oil extracted
by non-filtration cold-pressing and with minimum handling.
The “world’s first true ultra-premium extra virgin olive oil” is encased in a striking
frosting crystal vessel glistening with embedded Swarovsky stones that draw
the name “Olivia”, and presented in a satin black lacquer and hand-polished case
(recommended price: €170).
www.oliviaone.com / www.facebook.com/oliviamarbella
www.44esencias.com / www.1870.com.es
