OLIVE OIL AND FAMILY
THE CULTURAL VALUE OF OLIVE OIL PRODUCED BY MICRO FARMERS
Olive oil production has been an integral part of agriculture in many parts of the world for thousands of years. The process of growing olives and pressing them to produce high-quality olive oil has long been an important source of income for farmers and their families.
Nevertheless, the value of olive oil production goes beyond just the monetary benefits. For many farmers, olive oil production is a way of life. It provides them with a sense of purpose and pride in their work.
OLIVE OIL MEANS FAMILY
WHY IS OLIvE OIL SUCH A VALUE FO THE UMBRIAN FAMILIES? OLIVE OIL IS PRIDE
“Olive oil is our family. It’s something we can be proud of” the farmers say. It’s a subject that our farmers talk about with fierceness to friends and relatives. They offer their guests olive oil, toasted bread, and a glass of red wine by the fireplace.
Families come together to work towards a common goal, celebrate their heritage
It’s clear that the process of making olive oil is time-consuming and requires great care and attention to detail.
Family members, farmers, and friends take great pride in their work and are excited to taste the fruits of their labor. ( The oil is often described as having a unique and rich flavor that is unmatched by any other oil)
Therefore, the family gathering to pick olives and make olive oil is a time-honored tradition and an opportunity for families to come together and bond. The shared experience of working together towards a common goal strengthens family ties and creates lasting memories.
In conclusion, the family gathering to pick olives and make olive oil is an important tradition that is cherished by many. It is a time when families come together to work towards a common goal, celebrate their heritage, and create lasting memories. The process of making olive oil is one that requires great care and attention to detail, and the resulting oil is a testament to the hard work and dedication of those involved.
OLIVE OIL IS A SILENT RESISTANCE
Olive oil produced by micro farmers is the symbol of their communities’ values, culture, and lifestyle. It’s the product of a “slow lifestyle”, where the quality of the moment and every gesture has a meaning. Quality means less, not more.
In this sense, micro farmers represent a counter-intuitive but revolutionary silent economic resistance – a movement that wants to return to the “micro” to create more value.
Olive oil means family – something to be proud of.
It’s an object of care and devotion. It’s precious.
THE RITUAL OF THE GATHERING OF THE OLIVES
FAMILY GATHERING
For many families in olive-growing regions, the annual olive harvest is a time of great anticipation and excitement. It is a time when generations come together to pick olives from the trees and create some of the best olive oil that they will use for the rest of the year.
The gathering of the olives is a family event, an occasion for a family reunion, when son and father, nephews and grandmothers, stay together in the field and pick up the olives while chatting, laughing, or perhaps sometimes arguing!
THE PROCESS OF HARVESTING OLIVES
The process of harvesting olives is a communal effort that requires many hands to get the job done:
- Families gather together to harvest the olives from the trees using various tools such as rakes, sticks, or nets. They work together to pick the olives from the branches, ensuring that none are left behind.
- As the olives are picked, they are placed in large baskets or crates and then transported to a designated area where they are cleaned and sorted.
- The olives must be free of leaves, twigs, and other debris before they can be used to make olive oil.
- Once the olives are cleaned and sorted, they are then taken to the local olive oil mill. There, they are crushed to release their oil, which is then extracted and collected in large containers.
HOSPITALITY AROUND THE TABLE
THE EXPERIENCE OF BEING THE GUEST OF AN UMBRIAN FARMER
The harvest season is a time of great celebration, and meals are an important part of the festivities. They often include local specialties and traditional dishes that have been passed down from generation to generation. Throughout the day, the family members work tirelessly, often taking breaks to enjoy a meal together.
As the day comes to a close, the family members gather around to sample the freshly pressed olive oil.
The days of the gathering are tiring and tough. It’s a long process that requires strength and resistance. After the oil is pressed, families gather around a table, toast some bread and spread it with the new oil. Wine will follow. It’s a blessed moment.
UMBRIAN PEOPLE ARE FAMOUS FOR THEIR WARM, SINCERE JOY OF SHARING THE TABLE
Being guests of an Umbrian farmer is a sweet, comforting, and romantic experience. Known for their generosity, one can expect that they will – 99% of the time, at least – pull out some cheese that they made by hand with fresh milk and a piece of prosciutto. So, if you’re a gourmet like me, this is pure poetry.
These are the farmers we got to know in Umbria and support. Our olive oil is more than a condiment. It is the testimony of their values, their culture, and their lifestyle.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT MICRO FARMERS’ COMMUNITIES
PRESERVE LOCAL TRADITIONS AND HERITAGE
One of the main benefits of olive oil production is its ability to provide a stable source of income for farmers and their families. Unlike other crops that may have a limited harvest season or be subject to fluctuating market prices, olives can be harvested over several months, providing a more consistent income stream.
HIGH-QUALITY OLIVE OIL
Farmers who produce top-quality olive oil can command premium prices for their products, which can help to boost their income even further.
Olive oil production can also provide important opportunities for rural development. In many parts of the world, farming communities are struggling to survive as young people migrate to urban areas in search of better economic opportunities. Olive oil production can help to create jobs and stimulate local economies, providing a much-needed boost to rural communities.
ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE
Finally, olive oil production can be an environmentally sustainable practice. Olives are well-suited to many different types of soil and climate conditions, which means that they can be grown in areas where other crops may not thrive. Additionally, the trees themselves can help to mitigate climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
In conclusion, the value of olive oil production for the families of farmers cannot be overstated. It provides a stable source of income, helps to preserve local traditions and cultural heritage, supports rural development, and promotes environmentally sustainable practices. For these reasons and more, olive oil production is a vital part of agriculture in many parts of the world.
OLIVE OIL WITNESSES THE VALUES, CULTURE, AND LIFESTYLE OF UMBRIAN FARMERS
Olive oil represents the farmers’ values, culture, and lifestyle. It’s a “slow lifestyle” where the quality of the moment, the meaning behind every gesture, has meaning, and quality means less, not more. Every person counts; they are not measured by numbers but are all individuals. After all, olive oil is not an object of consumption but the fruit of love and care.
ITALIANRAW’S MISSION
Our extra virgin oil is cultivated by passionate people who live throughout the center of Italy. Italianraw believes in these values, and we actively support their work.
2023: in a global industrialized world where the logic of profit and scale have killed small realities, we support family dreams.
We believe that small farmers’ production provides the best quality final product.
Our farmers’ oil is the real deal: tasty, dense, aromatic, and spicy. Everyone can easily sense its pure and genuine taste.
THE MANY BENEFITS OF EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
What many consumers don’t realize is something that people living millennia ago in ancient Greece took for granted; extra virgin olive oil, all by itself, is one of the best beauty secrets.
First, Olive Oil is a natural, hypoallergenic skin moisturizer.
Furthermore, virgin olive oil has the advantage of providing potent antioxidants, including vitamins E and K.
These vitamins help repair and renew skin damaged from overexposure to sun and air pollution. Other modern-day environmental hazards like cigarette smoke and fast food create aging effects on the skin.
The nutrients in olive oil naturally stimulate cells and return skin to a firmer, smoother, and healthier state.
Let’s provide a slightly more scientific explanation. Skin damage is related to the destructive activity of oxygen-related free radicals produced by skin cells.
Polyphenolic components of olive oil are like the traditional antioxidants, such as tocopherols, used by the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry to prevent skin damage.
There are several simple and inexpensive ways to get the best skincare and beauty benefits from a single bottle of extra virgin olive oil.
The rich emollients in olive oil allow just a little to go a long way.
5 Comments
-
-
angela
Thank you for your appreciation! We’ll for sure keep on doing our best to inform and tell about the fascinating world of olive oil. Best,Angela.
-
-
canada pharmaceuticals online
Wow that was odd. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I
clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr…
well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyways, just wanted to say
great blog!-
angela
Thank you very much! I’m very glad to hear this. I put much effort into research and discovery of Italian culture. Oil of Oil is the quintessential result of centuries of layers of culture, history, and traditions that inevitably have created agricultural and gastronomic variety and quality.
-
-
canadian pharmaceuticals online
Thanks for finally talking about > FAMILY AND OLIVE OIL – Italianraw < Loved it!
medicine online shopping
Hi there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it’s really informative.
I am gonna watch out for brussels. I’ll appreciate if you continue this {in future}.
Lots of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!