Tokara 2022 olive harvest of abundance and flavours galore
Tokara 2022 olive harvest of abundance and flavours galore
Harvest season is a time of great expectations, and at Tokara, the acclaimed family owned Stellenbosch wine and olive estate, the excitement comes round twice a year. Just as the grape harvest comes to an end, it is time to gather the bounty of the rows of olive groves on the rolling foothills of the Simonsberg for the new 2022 Tokara Extra Virgin olive oils (EVOO).
Stretching from mid-March well into June, olive harvesting is a busy time for Tokara’s olive oil master, Gert van Dyk, who gently extracts the goodness from the diverse selection of olive varieties as they begin to ripen one after the other. By all accounts, the 2022 olive harvest is one of abundance both in the size of the crop as well as the variety of flavours.
“Besides being one of the largest crops to date, we are seeing a lot of different flavours in the olives that we are pressing. This will give us a multitude of flavour profiles once we get to the blending of the various oils we produce,” says van Dyk, operations manager at the Tokara Olive Shed, who attributes the profusion of flavours to the longer than usual ripening period this year.
Tokara EVOOs span the complete olive oil taste spectrum from mild to the more robust. Five cold pressed EVOOs – two single variety oils: the delicately flavoured Mission and the full-flavoured and spicy Frantoio, as well as two more intense multi-varietal blends, and an unfiltered blend – make up the collection.
Frantoio, the most important olive variety in Italy is a key component of Tokara’s full-flavoured blended olive oils. It is a medium to intense oil with green grassy tones. The palate is sublime and well balanced between green and bitter notes, with a nutty-almond aftertaste.
The Mission variety, which stems from America, is mild and gentle with a finely balanced grassy, herbaceous character and a macadamia aftertaste, making it an all-round oil.
The Multi-Varietal, a medley of Frantoio, Mission and Leccino, has an olive leaf and herbaceous character with a nutty aftertaste, while the Premium blend of Coratina and Frantoio leans more towards a rocket, artichoke and walnut flavour profile. Both are carefully blended to bring together the best characteristics of the various olive varieties.
Tokara also has a refillable, Unfiltered EVOO that redefines the meaning of untouched. Available on tap at the Deli, this unique artisanal multi-varietal blend is specially selected for its purity and unbridled flavours as the oil flows from the olive press.
Unfiltered and unrefined, all the fresh and cloudy appeal of this special oil is retained. The presence of the wax residues, which are usually filtered out, allow all the amazing flavours of the oils to be experienced in their freshest and purest form.
“This is the one oil in our portfolio I would not recommend for cooking. Rather use it to bring fresh ingredients to life, or drizzle over cooked lamb or baked fish to enhance the dish with layers of fresh flavours,” explains van Dyk.
The Mission single varietal EVOO is the most versatile in the Tokara range. Its fruitier, softer character make it the perfect choice for sauces such as aioli or for coating salads before adding the balsamic vinegar or lemon juice. This is also van Dyk’s first choice for pan-frying.
The other more intense oils with a stronger flavour profile are good as finishing oils to add flavour by drizzling over meaty dishes. They also make excellent marinades, add the wow factor over oven-roasted vegetables and are absolute perfection for hummus.
For van Dyk, the ultimate food experience is the unexpected pairing of Tokara EVOO and ice cream: “The creamy texture coupled with the fruity, grassy, nutty and peppery notes of the EVOO open a whole new world of flavours as an alternative ice cream topping, and it’s good for you too!”