The Popularity of Tunisian Olives
Tunisia is a land of olives, known in Arabic as “zaytouna“. Tunisian olives are plentiful throughout the country. Tunisia is the most important olive growing country of the southern Mediterranean region. You will discover numerous fields covered in olive trees as you travel throughout the country.
Workers Preparing Olives for PressingThere are on average 65 million olive trees grown over in more than 1.7 million hectares which are cultivated in all the regions of Tunisia. This represents about 30% of the country’s cultivated land being dedicated for olive growing.
Tunisia is one of the world’s biggest producers of olive oil. Tunisian olive oil has been winning many international awards in past years and has since become an important ingredient sought after by Michelin chefs and lovers of gourmet foods. Thus, the popularity of Tunisian olives and olive oil has also spread to become very popular in the Western world.
Harvesting Tunisian Olives
The olive harvest is still largely a rural activity and an integral part of rural life in Tunisia. Picking olives by hand and harvesting manually with a rake is said to be good for the fruit whereas machines can bruise the olives. The picked olives are then sent to an oil mill to be processed within 24 hours of their harvest.
These traditional methods of olive harvesting and milling still practiced today in Tunisia makes Tunisian olives unique among the world’s top producers of olive oil.
In some parts of the country, the olive farming is of great importance due to the less favorable climate condition.
Cooking with Tunisian Olives and Olive Oil
Olives and olive oil are a major ingredient in Tunisian cuisine. Many dishes are cooked using a blend of olive oil and spices.
There are over 500 different kinds of olives in Tunisia. While traveling in Tunisia, make sure to try out a variety of olives and olive oil to see which are your favourite.
