Our adventure in Apulia began with our fascination for the region’s ancient olive trees, known as ‘Secolari’, which have been rooted in the soil for over 1,000 years. What have these Methuselahs not seen? Undeterred, they reliably provide us with their fruit every year, along with their sense of renewal and the joy they bring.
A few years ago, we seized the opportunity to breathe new life into two wonderful old Masserie and carry on the region’s millennia-old tradition of producing olive oil.
We owe our Secolari a precious natural product: pure, cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil. It is harvested early and processed directly in the press to achieve a high concentration of polyphenols and antioxidants. Our BAMBARONE olive groves are cultivated using purely organic methods, and we place equal importance on traditional pruning, harvesting and processing techniques. You can therefore enjoy an extremely limited-edition product, produced with a great deal of manual labour to the highest quality. Our 1,000-year-old trees dictate the yield, and we treat them with the utmost respect and gratitude.
So, what does our organic olive oil taste like? We would describe it as bold, green, peppery and zesty.
A peppery finish is not a flaw, but a sign of a high polyphenol content. The combination of a certain sharpness and bitterness with a distinct and long-lasting flavour in the mouth is indicative of a high-quality oil harvested early.
You can taste this, too: the intense, highly complex flavour, which combines fruitiness and bitterness, is the result of our commitment to achieving the highest possible quality. As well as an early harvest and organic cultivation, this means processing the olives immediately at the mill. The olives are cold-pressed using purely mechanical methods, after which the oil is immediately bottled in airtight containers to prevent oxidation.
A fundamental ingredient in Mediterranean cuisine, the significant health benefits of high-quality olive oil are once again being recognised. Thanks to its unique blend of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, olive oil helps lower LDL cholesterol, thereby preventing cardiovascular disease. Polyphenols, such as the bitter compounds oleocanthal and oleuropein, have powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The high vitamin E content is also an effective antioxidant.
BAMBARONE Olio di Oliva is excellent with salads and as a finishing touch to grilled fish or meat — even a simple slice of fresh bread becomes a real treat! Why not try thinly sliced blood orange with a little sheep’s cheese and olive oil?
Unfortunately, we can’t introduce you to our gnarled, ancient olive trees in person. However, while stocks last, you can enjoy the essence of Bambarone, bottled in specially designed bottles, sent to your home – a truly special gift for you and your friends.