The olive harvest
In recent weeks, olive harvesting has begun at producers in Provence. For the occasion we visited the Paysanne olive grove in Pernes-les-Fontaines.
In November, we met Mireille Gravier, owner of the La Paysanne olive grove in Pernes-les-Fontaines to find out more about the olive harvest, also called 'olivade' in Provence, and to discover the different stages of production before being able to taste olive oil, a strong symbol of our region.
Harvested between the end of October and the beginning of December, olives do not have the same characteristics since maturity depends on several factors such as the weather and the location of the plots. All this also depends on the grower who starts harvesting later or later depending on the desired result. Here, Mireille started at the end of October because she works with olive oil in a fruity green way that highlights the Aglandau variety locally nicknamed the 'Verdale de Carpentras'.
Harvesting and leaf removal:
After each harvesting day, there is a day in the mill, in order to produce the freshest and healthiest olives possible. For harvesting, nets are installed on the ground to receive them and vibrating combs are used to make them fall from the olive tree without damaging either the tree or the fruit. There are other manual or mechanical harvesting methods but the vibrating comb remains one of the best techniques still to this day. Completely manual harvesting, for example, is reserved for table olives.
The olives are then recovered by placing them in crates and a leaf removal phase is carried out.
Cold extraction:
Next comes the extraction of the oil. There are also several methods for this stage but here, at La Paysanne, the technique used is cold extraction at room temperature, which allows Mireille to offer “extra virgin” olive oil of various flavors.
Bottling:
The last step before being able to taste certified organic olive oil is bottling, which is also done on site at the olive farm.
Mireille Gravier then offers her olive oil on various markets such as the farmers' market in Pernes-les-Fontaines but also on site since La Paysanne is labeled Accueil Paysan. You can therefore visit the olive grove and participate in tasting workshops by appointment.
