The History of Olives in Paarl
The History of Olives in Paarl
The Olive Industry in South Africa is still young if one compares it with the Mediterranean countries where olives have been cultivated for many centuries.
In 1661 Jan van Riebeeck planted the first olive trees on his farm in the Cape, but never exploited the fruit.
In 1907 a farmer from Paarl received the first gold medal for his olive oil at the London show.
De Hoop Farm has played a pioneering role in the development of the South African olive industry and specifically in Paarl.
The farm’s ancient avenue of olive trees dates back to the earliest plantings on the farm.
At the turn of the previous century De Hoop’s olive oil was voted the “best olive oil in the empire” at a London show.
The olive oil industry then started to develop under the guidance of an Italian immigrant, Fernando Costa, who imported and propagated a number of different olive cultivars. Since then the industry has grown tremendously, and today we have over 300 olive growers and producers in the country.
Today the Costa family is still active in the the Olive industry in Paarl.
Join an Olive tasting tour where you will be able to taste the wonderful Extra Virgin Olive oils and other olive products produced on these farms.
Slent Farms, Olyvenbosch and Vesuvio Olive Estate are some of the farms which will be visited. You can also visit these and other farms on your own.
Many of our Olive oil producers are receiving local and international awards on a regular basis and compare very favourably to international producers.
The South African Olive Industry Association is based in Paarl.
Information from: http://www.saolive.co.za/ http://www.capeoliveroute.com/4 Comments
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thunderwood
I’m a 55 (w) male looking to get into the olive industry somehow..I’ve been in the hospitality industry most of my life and now(6 yrs) have own sm company Thunderwood who paint and distress clients Furniture but I yearn to work with Olives..about 11 yrs I nearly bought sm olive farm in klein karoo but delayed that to buy into hotel with dutch business man..”Quick buck so I thought”” well for a number of reasons(mainly skelm partner” hotel went bellyup and lost 3.5m…soo sad as dream of olive farm gone…Anyway started painting furniture and as sideline made salt dried Olives..won local comps in graaff reinet/ and 2 wins at rand easter show”I leant how to salt dry from a Spanish Tannie when I lived worked in Fuengirola SPAIN..I’m living in george and doing a contract at Redberry strawberry farm but just LONG to live/work on olive farm in Pref southern cape as have family here..I just need that break fr a company/farmer who wants gd work ethic/passion and love for olives/will to learn ..pls tried the olive assoc but getting no responce…pls ric@thunderwood.co.za
tombrown
Hi Ric. I can’t offer definite advice but do know that there are several large olive farms in the paarl wellington area. One of the largest is Vesuvio. They may have positions vacant so give them a try. Good luck. Tom.
thunderwood
Thanks Tom..just picked up u message now..the only one..thanks
thunderwood
THUNDERWOOD OLIVES who make “salt dried olives” ..Buy in fr olive farms yearns to one day have his own farm..says owner Rick Holton…That’s just the ways its for now..Rick learnt fr spanish lady in fuengirola/spain(salt dried)