Nocellara del Belice

Nocellara del Belice

Nocellara del Belice is a cultivar of olives native to the Belice valley in the province of Trapani, Sicily, Italy. It is one of the most important and appreciated Italian olive varieties, both for table olives and for the production of extra virgin olive oil.

History

The Nocellara del Belice olive tree has ancient origins, dating back to the time of the Phoenicians and Greeks, who introduced it to Sicily. The name "Nocellara" comes from "Nuciddara", which in Sicilian dialect means "with a big stone", referring to the large size of the olive's pit.

Characteristics

Nocellara del Belice olives are characterized by their large size, round shape, and bright green color. They have a firm and crunchy flesh, with a balanced taste between sweet and bitter. The oil produced from these olives is of high quality, with a fruity aroma and a slightly spicy aftertaste.

Cultivation

The cultivation of Nocellara del Belice olives is concentrated in the Belice valley, in the western part of Sicily. The olive trees are grown in calcareous and clayey soils, at an altitude between 100 and 600 meters above sea level. The climate of the area, characterized by mild winters and hot summers, is ideal for the growth of these olives.

Uses

Nocellara del Belice olives are used both as table olives and for the production of extra virgin olive oil. As table olives, they are usually harvested when they are still green, between the end of September and the beginning of October. They are then processed with a traditional method called "Castelvetrano style", which involves a lye treatment followed by fermentation in brine. The result is a crunchy and tasty olive, perfect to be eaten as an appetizer or added to salads.

For the production of oil, the olives are harvested later, when they are fully ripe. The oil obtained is of high quality, with a low acidity and a distinctive fruity aroma. It is ideal for dressing salads, for cooking, or simply to be enjoyed on a slice of bread.

Protected Designation of Origin

The Nocellara del Belice olive has been awarded the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status by the European Union. This means that only the olives grown in the specific area of the Belice valley, and processed according to the traditional methods, can be labeled as "Nocellara del Belice".

See Also

• List of olive cultivars
• Olive oil
• Sicilian cuisine