Tuscan EVO oil and Tuscan DOP and IGP extra virgin olive oil
The name Tuscany is very ancient and derives from the Latins who called it Etruria, to indicate the land inhabited by the Etruscans. Over time it was transformed into Tuscia and then into Tuscany. History tells us of a territory that was the cradle of the Renaissance, especially in Florence, the regional capital, which gave illustrious artists and writers to the Italian cultural heritage and delivering to posterity works of art that are the pride of our country all over the world. Besides the artistic beauties, Florence is famous for the marvels of its Renaissance architecture; Siena instead for its historic center designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a splendid example of medieval architecture; Pisa, an ancient maritime republic, has its Piazza dei Miracoli with the famous leaning tower; Lucca with its sixteenth-century walls and Arezzo also remembered for its goldsmith tradition. But there are many beauties in this region with its hills and medieval villages, the fortified cities that have survived intact to this day, the islands and natural beauties, such as the WWF oasis of the Argentario promontory and the Tuscan archipelago full of wonderful sea beds. In conclusion, a region in which there are seven sites nominated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site: the historic center of Florence; Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa; the historic center of San Gimignano; the historic center of Siena; the historic center of Pienza; the Val d'Orcia and the Medici Villas. But another peculiarity of Tuscany is the food and wine tradition of its cuisine, which has its roots in the peasant heritage with its basic ingredients: bread, spelt, legumes, vegetables and above all wine and extra virgin olive oil, as well as meat , the famous Florentine steak, strictly from Chianina. The production of wines is excellent in terms of variety and quality; here we find some of the finest wines in Italy such as Chianti or Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Brunello di Montalcino as well as the famous Vin Santo to be enjoyed together with cantucci. Coming to extra virgin olive oil here we have an ancient and high quality tradition. The Tuscan IGP and DOP extra virgin olive oil offers an unrepeatable sensory experience, it is an oil with a precise character, with sensations of artichoke, fresh grass or almond, accompanied by well-balanced bitter and spicy notes. Tuscan extra virgin olive oil is perfect for enhancing the flavor of typical Tuscan dishes and all Mediterranean cuisine and is often the first choice of many starred chefs, but also present in the kitchen of those who love good food and genuine dishes prepared with raw materials of the highest quality.
In 1997 the Consortium of Tuscan IGP oil was established which has functions of protection, promotion, enhancement and information to the consumer on Tuscan oil with Protected Geographical Indication. The Consortium, which has reached almost 9,000 members, guarantees each bottle with its signature, verifying the entire production chain, rigorously made in Tuscany, from the olive harvest to the packaging. The oil is subjected to chemical and sensory tests to check the complete compliance with the specification. The extra virgin olive oil produced in Tuscany is the result of a centuries-old tradition; the variety of the various cultivars, combined with the diligent cultivation and processing, give life to a unique EVO oil, with a recognizable character and flavour. The typical characteristics range from the color that changes from green to golden yellow, varying over time; the flavor is intensely fruity with hints of almond, artichoke and ripe fruit. To make it authentic and recognizable, each package of Tuscan Extra Virgin IGP has a mark on the neck of the bottle with an alphanumeric code that allows the entire production chain to be reconstructed. This tracking possibility guarantees that the Tuscan extra virgin olive oil is 100% authentic. In addition to the PGI, there are Tuscan extra virgin olive oils that boast the DOP (Protected Designation of Origin) brand, in particular:
• CHIANTI CLASSICO DOP extra virgin olive oil produced in olive groves in the provinces of Siena and Florence from the Correggiolo, Frantoio, Leccino, Moraiolo cultivars, in an amount of no less than 80%. It is an oil with a color ranging from deep green to green, with golden hues; the fruitiness is light and light to medium-intense fruity with a clear olive aroma, with bitter and spicy sensations with herbaceous notes; the maximum acidity is 0.50% rich in polyphenols
• The DOP LUCCA extra virgin olive oil produced in the olive groves in the province of Lucca and Massa Carrara from the Frantoio cultivars up to 90% and Leccino up to 30%. The color is yellow with more or less intense green tones; it is a light-medium light fruity with a sweet taste and with spicy and bitter sensations linked to the intensity of the fruitiness; the maximum acidity is 0.50%.
• DOP SEGGIANO extra virgin olive oil produced in the olive groves in the province of Grosseto from the Olivastra di Seggiano cultivar present in no less than 85%; the color varies from green with yellow tones to golden; the fruity is fresh from the olive, with herbaceous notes of artichoke and with aromas of white fruit with a clean taste and harmonious spicy bitterness; the maximum acidity is 0.50%.
• TERRE DI SIENA DOP extra virgin olive oil is produced in olive groves in the province of Siena, from the Frantoio, Correggiolo, Leccino and Moraiolo cultivars. There may also be the presence of cultivars such as Pendolino, Maurino, Olivastra, Morchiaio, Pitursello, Americano, Arancino, Ciliegino, Filare, Gremignolo, Maremmano, Mignolo, Olivo Bufalo, in an amount not exceeding 15%; the color varies from green to yellow, with chromatic variations over time; fruity olive flavor with bitter and spicy notes; the maximum acidity is 0.50% with a good supply of polyphenols
On the Olioevo.eu marketplace, excellent quality Tuscan IGP extra virgin olive oils and EVO oils awarded by the producers present are on sale:
“Agricola Maraviglia” e “Tenuta Decimo”