20 Aug

California’s 2007 olive crop

California’s 2007 olive crop forecast is 110.0 thousand tons, more than 4 times larger than last year’s crop. The bearing acres are estimated to be 31.0 thousand acres, resulting in a yield of 3.55 tons per acre. Although the 2007 California olive crop seems to be turning out lighter than originally expected, it is shaping [...]

16 Aug

California Olive Oil Council promotes seal

• Says it guarantees extra virgin olive oil authenticity • Antidote to the trade in adulterated olive oil The California Olive Oil Council has launched a promotional campaign for its seal of certification for extra virgin olive oil following publication of a report laying out the problem of adulterated imported olive oil. The report, “Letter [...]

14 Aug

Californian table olive growers get record prices as acreage shrinks

By Ching Lee, California olive growers are expecting excellent prices for this year’s crop, which is projected to be 112,000 tons, up considerably from last year’s 16,800 tons. After a disastrous crop in 2006, California table olive growers are poised to receive some of the highest prices ever for their fruit this year, but many [...]

14 Aug

Lack of Workers Poses Threat to Olive Harvest

This year’s olive supply is definitely causing a demand for laborers to harvest the crop. Local growers say they cannot find enough people to help with the harvest. They say there are many reasons the labor force is lower this year, but the main problem is the huge loss of migrant workers. In past years, [...]

06 Aug

Olive extract may improve quality of life for arthritis sufferers

By Stephen Daniells, Supplementation with an olive extract decreased pain and inflammation, and improved the quality of life of people suffering from osteoarthritis, claims a new study. Writing in the new issue of the journal Nutrition Research, researchers from Arizona State University and California-based company CreAgri report that the supplements also had the added benefit [...]

01 Aug

Californian Olive farmers to earn record prices

After a small harvest last year, demand for California-grown olives has risen, and farmers will earn a record price for their crops this year. The Olive Growers Council and olive canners have agreed on prices that will earn farmers an average of $1,000 a ton. Because of last year’s small crop, stocks of canned olives [...]

31 Jul

4th Annual Paso Robles Olive Festival

August 25th, 2007 10:00am – 5:00pm Downtown Paso Robles City Park www.pasoolivefestival.com   * Free Olive Oil and Olive product sampling * Producers from all over California * Olive Oil Tasting lead by the California Olive Oil Council * Culinary Row serving great food * Wine & Beer Tasting * Open Olive Dish Cooking Contest [...]

30 Jul

Californian Olive crop may be six times larger than last year

If good growing weather continues and there’s enough irrigation water, the Central Valley olive crop could be more than six times larger than last year’s. California’s olive crop this year will produce about 112,000 tons, growers estimate. Last year the trees yielded a meager 16,800 tons. However, water is becoming an issue in olive groves [...]

22 Jul

All you wanted to know about Olives and Olive Oil

Here is a very complete article by Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, on Olives and Olive Oil which includes history, information on olive varieties, and usage tips. Part 1: The only difference between green olives and black olives is ripeness Long a symbol of peace, the olive branch brings us a marvelous, healthy fruit. Get up to [...]

21 Jul

Gold, olive green, citrine: all colors of olive oils

By Bev Bennett, Different olive oils complement dishes. But when you’re reaching for oil to use in a salad dressing or for cooking, color isn’t the most important consideration. Instead you want oil that’s appropriate to your dish, says Alessio Carli, an olive oil and wine maker for Pietra Santa winery near Monterey Bay in [...]

17 Jul

New Potential Health Benefit Of Olive Oil For Peptic Ulcer Disease

U.S. scientists have developed immunization methods that can offer long-term protection against Helicobacter pylori infections. University of California-Davis researchers said the new methods might also contribute to a possible ulcer vaccine. H. pylori is a bacterium colonizing the digestive tract of 50 percent of the world’s population. Infection can lead to chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer [...]

06 Jul

California Olive Ranch doubles production capacity

California Olive Ranch, Oroville, Calif., expects to double its production capacity this year after signing a long-term agreement with another large, California olive oil producer. Olive Glen Orchards in Glenn County will provide 100 percent of the fruit from its 700 acres of high density olive trees to California Olive Ranch, already the largest olive [...]

05 Jul

We Olive branches out

By Melanie Cleveland, One of four franchises of the Paso Robles based gourmet shop is slated to open later this month in downtown San Luis Obispo, and its owners hope its prime location translates to healthy sales We Olive, a gourmet shop specializing in olives and olive-related products, will open in San Luis Obispo later [...]

05 Jul

Mission Santa Inès is branching out

By Glenn Wallace, Father Michael Mahoney, pastor of Mission Santa Inès, speaks at a Wednesday morning press conference. “Where I stand is what I think is the most hallowed view in this valley,” he said in discussing the mission’s plans to plant a grove of olive trees in the lower field behind him. The new [...]

29 Aug

Quick hits: Calif. olive oil grows

There’s a growing market for California olive oil. Production in the state increased 168 percent between 1996 and 2004, and continues apace. California growers produce about 425,000 gallons and are on track for 750,000 gallons annually in three or four years, overtaking the French. U.S. consumers purchase 65 million gallons of olive oil annually, almost [...]