Olive oil production process

Olive Oil Production Process in Cyprus

The olive oil production process in Cyprus is a fascinating journey from tree to bottle. Cyprus, known for its rich history and culture, also boasts a long tradition of olive oil production. This process involves several key steps, each crucial to producing high-quality olive oil.

Harvesting the Olives

The first step in the olive oil production process is harvesting. In Cyprus, olives are typically harvested from October to January. Farmers use both traditional hand-picking methods and modern machinery to gather the olives. The timing of the harvest is vital, as it affects the oil's flavor and quality.

Cleaning and Grinding

Once harvested, the olives are cleaned to remove leaves, twigs, and dirt. This ensures that only pure olives enter the next stage of the olive oil production process. After cleaning, the olives are ground into a paste using large stone mills or modern steel grinders. This paste contains both the olive oil and the solid parts of the fruit.

Malaxation

Malaxation is the process of slowly churning the olive paste. This step helps to release the oil droplets from the paste. In Cyprus, this part of the olive oil production process usually takes 20 to 40 minutes. The temperature during malaxation is carefully controlled to preserve the oil's quality and flavor.

Extraction

The next step is extracting the oil from the paste. There are two main methods used in Cyprus: traditional pressing and modern centrifugation. In traditional pressing, the paste is spread on mats and pressed to squeeze out the oil. In centrifugation, the paste is spun at high speeds to separate the oil from the water and solids. Both methods are effective, but centrifugation is faster and more efficient.

Filtering and Bottling

After extraction, the oil is filtered to remove any remaining impurities. This ensures a clear, high-quality product. Finally, the oil is bottled and sealed, ready to be enjoyed. The entire olive oil production process in Cyprus is a blend of tradition and modernity, resulting in some of the finest olive oils in the world.