Cretan Gold

We've had bad storms here in western Crete during the past two weeks. The winds wrapped around the house. At first we thought these were from the north but the winds of Crete are all embracing, come from the four corners of the island and manage to penetrate all areas. The rain was torrential, like straight rods of cold liquid which bounced, and spat and lashed against the paved pathways, the streets and lanes. Local olive farmers were unable to work while at the olive mill the operatives had an opportunity to catch up with a backlog.

But it was not the end of the harvest for this year. The sun shone again two days ago and it has become warm and dry outside. Once again we can see the pickup trucks loaded with bags, slowly making their way to the mill. There are cars too, whose boots are packed with hessian bags of olives balanced precariously over the edge. On top of a load of bags a dog or two often stand guard looking even more satisfied than the owner of another bountiful crop.

Cretan olive oil is golden green, fragrant and delicious. It is a precious product which has been for centuries the source of good health and longevity among the inhabitants of Crete. It is said that greener oil will have a stronger aroma and a richer taste. However, if you empty a little olive oil into a glass container and hold this up to the light you will see a range of colours -- maybe dark green, pale green, and even a luminous golden shade.

Like wine, there is a wide range in the quality and taste. Flavour in olive oil is natural and unique. Connoisseurs may describe different samples as mild, delicate, light, buttery, fruity, peppery, and fragrant. The expert is able to distinguish subtleties of taste and can tell from which region the olive oil has come. The climate, the soil, the area where the olive grove is situated and the means by which the olives are harvested play a role in the final flavour.

Olive oil can be expensive because it is difficult to produce. Harvesting is back breaking and labour intensive. This work continues throughout December January and into February according to weather conditions. Cretan olive oil which is bought by other countries around the Mediterranean is often sold under the name of the country which imported it. This is an accepted practice because the Cretan oil has been mixed with the local product. But the market for the export of Pure Cretan Virgin Olive Oil, shipped directly from the island, is now being expanded. In our modern world, the names and locations of olive farms, oil producers and how to obtain olive oil products directly from Crete can be found on line. But no matter how the olives have been harvested and processed -- picked by hand or machine, processed in the old fashioned way by cooperatives or in factories using the latest technology, olive oil will retain its health giving, and legendary reputation.