Here we provide you information and some details about Italian Olive varieties, as follows:
ASCOLANA TENERA
SYNONYMS: Oliva Dolce
ORIGIN: Marche and Central Italy
USE: Table
TREE: A
tree of great vigor with dense foliage and a tendency toward upward growth. The
leaves are elliptical, lanceolate, and
medium in size with a brilliant green color.
FRUIT: The
fruit is very large in size (8 to 10g), ellipsoidal, and slightly asymmetrical
with a rounded, slightly sub-conical top. The fruit is light green in color at
harvest and used as table fruit. The flesh represents about 86-87% of the fruit
and is of a milky white color and can yield 16-18% oil by weight and is
classified as a light oil.
AGRONOMY:
An auto-incompatible cultivar with a high percentage of aborted ovaries.
Pollinators: Santa Caterina, Itrana, Rosciola, Leccino, Giarraffa, Pendolino.
Good resistance to cold and peacock spot. Susceptible to damage from the olive
fly.
OIL
CONTENT:16-18% by weight. Although the percentage of oil is not high its quality is excellent.
HARVEST TIME: In Italy, this variety is
harvested early, from September 20th to October 15th
COMMENTS:
This cultivar is prized and is used and appreciated all around the world.
BELLA di CERIGNOLA
Area of
origin: PUGLIA
TREE: A
variety from Puglia of medium vigor with a contained but rather dense crown. It
has a spread out shape with a tendency towards a weeping habit. The leaves are
of medium size, elliptical, narrow and tapered at the ends with limited surface
area of dark green color on the upper side.
FRUIT: For
the table it has a notable weight (8-12 grams), its shape is ellipsoidal,
asymmetrical with a sub-conical top and flattened base. It is used mostly for
preserving green table olives. The olives matures early (October). The flesh is
of dense consistency representing about 75% of the fruit. It is also possible
to get a quantity of good oil (16-19%).
AGRONOMY:
Medium high production, it is self-sterile with ovarian abortion that can reach
almost 60%. Pollinators: Maurino, Coratina, Pendolino, Frantoio, Leccino,
Olivastra. This tree is moderately resistant to the most common diseases of the
olive.
COMMENTS:
It requires fertile land and good cultural practices. It responds well to
irrigation and is predominately prized for the size and beauty of its fruit.
BOSANA
SYNONYMS:
Algherese, Aligaresa, Bosano, Basarca, Bosinca, Olia de Ozzo, Olia terza, Olieddu,
Oliva bianca, Palma, Sassarese, Sivigliana da olio, ondo di Sassari, Tonda di
Sasserese
ORIGIN:
Sardegna
USE: Oil
TREE: Of
medium vigor but with a high degree of site adaptability. The crown spreads to
the exterior. It has small branches, long and drooping with tops that grow
upwards in a characteristic fashion. The leaf is large, dark green in color,
and leathery in texture.
FRUIT: Of
medium small size (2-2.5 grams), elliptical in shape, asymmetrical, with a
round sub-conical top. Maturation is on the late side (November-December) and
very spread out with ripening from bottom to top. At harvest the fruit is black
violet in color and gives 17-18% in oil.
AGRONOMY: A
cultivar of alternate production that is partially self-incompatible with a
small percentage of aborted flowers (25%). Pollinators include Pizz’e Carroga,
Olio Niedda and Tonda di Cagliari. The tree has good resistance to cold. This
variety is not noted for any particular sensitivity to the more common olive
pests.
COMMENTS: A
very rustic variety that adapts well to the different climates and conditions
of Sardegna.
CANINO
SYNONYMS:
Caninese, Montignoso, Oliva canina, Olivastro canino, Olivella
ORIGIN:
Latium and Umbria
USE: Oil / Pollinator
TREE: Very
wide spread in the regions of Latium and Umbria, a tree of great size and of a
tall upright shape with a compact crown. The leaves are medium-large size,
narrow and gray green in color.
FRUIT: A
typical oil variety. It has small fruit (1-2 grams), spherical in shape. At
harvest, the olives are never all black because the maturation is late
(December) but spread out. The yield is high and alternate. The oil yield is
moderate (15-16%) but the quality of the product is good.
AGRONOMY:
Self sterile with a low ovarian abortion rate (15-20%). This variety is endowed
with good productivity even in different climatic environments. Pollinators:
Razzo, Maurino, Moriaolo, Olivone, Frantoio, Pendolino, Leccino. Especially
resistant to olive knot, the cold, to the olive fly and to the wind.
COMMENTS:
It has a late maturation and is usually the last variety to be harvested in the
various areas of cultivation. It adapts well to coastal zones as well as to
elevations up to 1,650 feet.
CARBONCELLA
SYNONYMS:
Oliva Tonda, Carbonello, Carboncina, Carbogna, Ritornella
ORIGIN: Latium
USE: Oil
TREE:
Typical oil cultivar of central Italy. This tree has a good growth rate with
markedly upward habit. It is characterized by long flexible branches that bend
under the weight of the drupes. The leaves are small and dark green in color.
FRUIT: The
fruit is of small size (2 grams), slightly ellipsoidal, symmetrical and dark
violet in color. When mature this variety is noted for the high return of oil
(21-25%) and for the quality of its oil which is highly appreciated in Sabina.
The fruit matures early (October-November) and all at once.
AGRONOMY:
Auto-incompatible and of constant high production. Pollinators: Lea, Ascolana
Tenera, Sargano. Good resistance to cold, to rot, to the prays olive fly and to
olive knot.
COMMENTS:
Often confused with the Tuscan variety Moraiolo. This is a rustic variety that
adapts well to dry limestone soils with good exposures.
CASALIVA
SYNONYMS: Bagoler, Calma, Casali, Casalin,
Casalivo, Drizer, Drezzeri, Drissar, Drizar, Olivo casalino, Olivo gentile,
Zentil
ORIGIN:
Lombardia,Veneto, Trentino
USE: Oil
TREE: This
is an olive of great vigor and constant productivity. It has a pendulous shape
called "gentile" with a globular crown made of long slender branches.
The leaves are elliptical, lanceolate and of a dark green color.
FRUIT: An
oil variety with symmetrical ovoid fruits that at harvest are blue violet,
almost black. The fruits are of medium weight (1.8-2 grams) and have a very
high yield in oil (22-25%); ripening is late and in stages but the oil that you
obtain is very fine, light and aromatic.
AGRONOMY:
Self pollinating but it is advantageous to use cross pollinators. High,
constant production. Pollinators: Less, Trepp, Pendolino, Rossanello, Grignan
and Negrin.
COMMENTS:
This variety is very prized in the northern regions of Italy for good quality
oil. Correct cultural practices are required for good production.
CORATINA
SYNONYMS:
Cima di Corato, Coratese, La Valente, Olivo a confetti, Olivo a grappoli, Olivo
a racemi, Olivo a racimolo, Olivo a raciuoppe, Racema, Racemo di Corato,
Racemo, Racioppa, Racioppa di Corato
ORIGIN:
Puglia
USE: Oil
TREE: A
plant of medium size and moderately pendulant shape. The expansive crown tends
towards a globular shape and has long flexible branches. The leaf is deep green
in color, elliptical in shape and ends in a slightly mucronate shape.
FRUIT: A
typical plant of Puglia with large drupes (5-6 grams) that are elongated ovals
and slightly asymmetrical in shape. Ripening is mid to late season
(November-December). The fruit which is harvested when the tips are black gives
a high yield in oil at the mill (21-26%) that is very fruity in flavor.
AGRONOMY:
This variety is self-sterile, of high constant production with a low percentage
of aborted ovaries. Pollinators: Frantoio, Leccino, Moraiolo. It has a good resistance
to drought, cold and in general to all parasites of the olive tree.
COMMENTS:
This variety is characterized by early production and by its very good
adaptability to different soils and climates.
FRANGIVENTO
SYNONYMS:
CIPRESSINO
ORIGIN: PUGLIA
USE: OIL / POLLINATOR
TREE: A
plant of notably vigorous vegetation, rapid upward growth with a typical rising
habit and gathered crown. The leaves are lanceolate, medium-small, flat
surfaced and dark gray green.
FRUIT: This
olive is of a rounded oval shape, at maturity it weighs 2-5 grams and is used
for producing an oil yielding 15-17% that is fine and light. Maturation is
spread out but is complete between the middle of November and the middle of
December.
AGRONOMY:
Frangivento is a self-sterile variety of excellent and constant fruiting with a
notable percentage of aborted ovaries (50-60%). Pollinators: Frantoio, Leccino,
Pendolino. Excellent resistance to salty winds, good resistance to climatic
extremes and parasites.
COMMENTS:
This tree has a tendency to grow upwards in the sense of forming a column with
branches and shoots that grow straight up. This characteristic, combined with a
marked resistance to salty winds, has made this variety one used primarily for
windbreaks.
FRANTOIO
SYNONYMS:
Bresa fina, Comune, Correggiolo, Crognolo, Frantoiano, Gentile, Infrantoio,
Laurino, Nostrato, Oliva lunga, Pendaglio, Pignatello, Raggio, Raggiolo, Rajo,
Razza, Razzo, Solciaro, Stringona
ORIGIN:
Tuscany and central Italy
USE: Oil
TREE: An
oil variety that is particularly wide spread and appreciated not only in
Tuscany and the central zones of Italy, but throughout the world. The plant is
of medium vigor, semi-drooping with an open structure and fruiting branches which
are long, slender and flexible. The leaves are elliptical, lanceolate, of
medium size and glossy dark green.
FRUIT: The
drupe is small to medium in size (between 1.5 and 2.5 grams), ovoid in form
with visible whitish markings.
Maturation is late and gradual. When mature the fruit is purple-black, but at
the preferred picking time green and purple. It is rich in oil (between 17 and
22%) which is very fruity, notably aromatic and of high quality.
AGRONOMY:
The tree is self-fertile with high, constant productivity. It is extremely
early in setting fruit and has an ovarian abortion rate which rarely exceeds
10%, sometimes being even as low as 1%.
COMMENTS:
While the self-fertile character of the tree guarantees a high and constant
fruit production, the presence of a pollinator further increases it. This
peculiar productive characteristic, as well as the quality of its oil makes
Frantoio a highly valuable and irreplaceable variety.
GRIGNAN
SYNONYMS:
Bersan, Gargna’, Gargnano, Gargnan, Negrar
ORIGIN:
Veneto, Lombardia
USE: Oil
TREE: A
variety of Northern Italy with medium growth and upward habit. The leaves are
elliptical, medium to small, and gray green in color.
FRUIT: The
oil content is low (14-15%). The fruit is medium small in weight (1.5-2 grams),
is of a irregular oval shape and often in clusters of 3-5 drupes. Maturity is
simultaneous and harvest occurs when the drupes are black-violet. The oil is
considered to be of good quality.
AGRONOMY:
This tree is a medium, constant producer. Pollinators: Leccino, Casaliva,
Trepp. It has a marked resistance to drought. And good resistance to olive knot
and cold.
COMMENTS:
This cultivar is an early producer. It must be adequately pruned every year to
allow light to penetrate the crown which is naturally very dense.
ITRANA
SYNONYMS:
Aitana, Aitanella, Aitanesca, Attanesca, Auliva a acqua, Cicerone, Esperiana,
Gaetana, Gitana, Iatanella, Itana, Oliva di Esperia, Oliva di Gaeta, Oliva
grossa, Olivacore, Raitana, Reitana, Strano, Tanella, Trana, Velletrana
ORIGIN:
Lazio
USE: Table / Oil
TREE: A
very vigorous plant of large size and a tendency toward upward growth. The
crown is compact, dense and is covered with medium-large leaves that are
elliptical lanceolate in shape.
FRUIT: This
cultivar used for both table and oil. The fruit are roundish, asymmetrical and
of medium to large size (3-5 grams). At harvest the drupes are dark wine color,
freckled with a whitish dusting. The oil is of good quality (average yield is
20%) pleasing in taste and very prized. The cured olives are very much in
demand. Maturation is late (November, December-January).
AGRONOMY:
Self sterile, very productive, with good resistance to the cold and to the most
common olive pests. Its best pollinators
are Leccino, Pendolino and Olivastro.
COMMENTS: A
very rustic variety, good for both table and oil and of good adaptability to
many of Italy’s olive producing regions.
LECCINO
SYNONYMS:
Leccio, Premice, Silvestrone
ORIGIN:
Tuscany and Umbria
USE: Oil
TREE: A
widely diffused oil variety due to high adaptability. It has vigorous growth
with an open semi-pendulous habit. The crown is expansive with many small
branches which are curved at the tip. The leaves are of medium size,
elliptical-lanceolate in shape and greenish-gray in color. The underside has a
yellowish hue.
FRUIT: The
drupe is of medium size (2 to 2.5 grams), ellipsoidal and slightly asymmetrical
in shape with a rounded tip and flattened base. The maturation is early and
simultaneous. The fruit is purple-black although purple green at the optimal
picking time. It has a variable oil content of between 16 and 21%. The oil is
good, mildly fruity and delicate.
AGRONOMY:
The variety is self-sterile. Its pollinators are: Pendolino, Maurino, Frantoio,
Piagente, Razzo and Maraiolo. It has good resistance to winds, fog, olive knot,
fungus and peacock spot.
COMMENTS:
This is a very rustic variety, widely planted throughout the world. The tree is
quick to produce and ia adaptable to adverse climatic conditions and parasites.
More recently it has been used for the production of table olives, semi-ripe or
black.
MAURINO
SYNONYMS:
Razzola, Maurino Luccesse
ORIGIN: Tuscany
USE: Oil
TREE: A
typical Tuscan oil variety. It is of medium size and vigor with a pendulous
habit, while the fruiting branches are delicate with rising tips. The leaves
are lanceolate, of medium size and are grayish-green in color.
FRUIT: The
fruit is medium in size (3-5 grams), ellipsoidal and slightly asymmetrical in
shape and when fully mature is purple-black in color. Fruit maturation is
considered to be relatively early and the oil, which is highly regarded, is
between 14 and 20%, delicate and not overly fruity.
AGRONOMY:
The cultivar is self-sterile, needing a pollinator which can be Pendolino,
Leccino, Frantoio or Moraiolo. It has a low ovarian abortion rate, generally
under 19%. Fruiting is good, although slightly alternate, and it has a
resistance to peacock spot, cold, olive knot and fog.
COMMENTS:
This is an excellent pollinator for Moraiolo and Pendolino and can be
cultivated in cold, humid zones which are subject to fog. It is widely
appreciated for its ability to produce significant amount of fertile pollen and
for its compatibility with a wide range of other olive cultivars.
MORAIOLO
SYNONYMS:
Anerina, Assisano, Bucino, Carboncella, Cimignolo, Corniolo, Fosco, Migno,
Morella, Morellino, Morello, Morichiello, Morina, Morinello, Muragliola,
Neraiolo, Nerella, Nerina, Neriolo, Nostrale, Ogliolo, Oliva nera, Oliva tonda,
Oriolo, Petrosello, Ruzzolino, Tondello, Tondolina, Tondorina
ORIGIN: Central Italy and Tuscany
USE: Oil
TREE: Of
medium-low vigor with branches having a rising, spreading habit. The crown is
gathered and has leaves which are elliptical-lanceolate in shape, of medium
size and dark gray-green in color.
FRUIT: The
fruit is small (1.5 to 2 grams), rounded and spheroid in shape. When mature, it
is purple-black in color, but at the correct picking time it is purple-green.
It has a good oil content, on average between 17 and 20%, but can often be much
higher. Fruit maturation is generally premature.
AGRONOMY:
This variety has a relatively high and constant fruit production. It is self-sterile
and requires specific pollinators, which are Pendolino, Lazzero, Razziao and
Maurino. It resists salty winds.
COMMENTS:
Moraiolo is considered a rustic variety, ideal for planting in hilly zones
subject to winds. For that reason it is very diffuse in the major olive growing
regions of central Italy. Its oil is highly regarded, generally fruity with a
slightly bitter aftertaste.
NOCCELLARA del BELICE
SYNONYMS:
Aliva da salari, Aliva di Castelvetrano, Aliva tonda, Aliva tunna, Aneba,
Anerba, Bianculidda, Giarraffa, Mazara, Neba, Nebba, Nerba, Niciddalora,
Nocciolara, Nocellaia, Nocellara di Castelvetrano, Nociara, Nociddara,
Nocillara, Nuciddara, Oliva da salari, Oliva di Castelvetrano, Oliva di Mazara,
Oliva tonda, Oliva tunna, Trapanese
ORIGIN: Sicily
USE: Table / Oil
TREE: A
Sicilian dual use variety characterized by the shape of its branches and by the
expansive crown of modest growth. The leaves are lanceolate, large and dark
green in color.
FRUIT: Is
of elevated weight (5-7 grams) with a large base and rounded top. The flesh,
which is very consistent in texture and prized for brining, represents 85-88 %
of the fruit. It contains oil of the best quality, light and perfumed. The
maturation is late but if the fruit is for canning, the harvest is over before
winter.
AGRONOMY:
The plant is of medium and consistent productivity. Self-sterile its
pollinators include: Giarraffa and Pidicuddara. It is distinguished for its
good resistance to the common parasites of the olive.
COMMENTS:
It prefers a deep moist soil. It owes its wide spread planting to the bounty of
its production.
OGLIAROLA BARESE
SYNONYMS:
Aliva baresana, Ascolana, Baresana, Bitontina, Castellaneta, Cima di Bitonto,
Marinese della Capitanata, Marinese di Lavello, Nostrale di Venosa, Nostrale
bitontina, Ogliarola di Bitonto, Ogliarola di Molfetta, Ogliarola di Venosa,
Oliva ascolana, Olivo baresano, Olivo d'Ascoli, Olivo nostrale, Olivo paesano,
Paesana di Bitonto
ORIGIN: Puglia
USE: Oil
TREE: A oil
use variety from Puglia, characterized by the shape of its branches and by the
expansive crown of modest growth.
FRUIT: The
fruit is small ( grams)
PENDOLINO
SYNONYMS:
MAURINO FIORETINO, PIANGENTE
ORIGIN: CENTRAL ITALY, TUSCANY
USE: OIL / POLLINATOR
TREE: This
is a slow growing cultivar of limited development with a very obvious weeping
habit. The crown is dense and abundant with leaves of medium size which are
lanceolate, thin, long and rather dark green-gray in color.
FRUIT: Its
form is ellipsoidal, asymmetrical with a rounded tip and weighs between 1.2-2
grams. It generally matures simultaneously, although the time for maturation is
intermediate in relation to the other Tuscan cultivars. The drupe, which is
black in color with a pruinose surface, has an oil content of between 22 and
23%. The oil has a delicate flavor and is pleasant.
AGRONOMY:
Due to its high and constant pollen production, this oil variety is considered
an ideal pollinator for most Tuscan oil cultivars. It is self-sterile and prefers
Maurino and Leccino as pollinators. It has a mild resistance to cold. Because
of its long, flexible branches, it is well-suited to manual harvesting.
COMMENTS:
It is a cultivar widely appreciated by growers for its high fruit production
and plays a crucial role as an excellent pollinator, both for table and oil
cultivars.
ROSCIOLA
SYNONYMS:
Caprigna, Caprigne, Caprino, Ogliarola, Procanica, Ragiola, Rasciola, Razzetta,
Ricciuta, Risciola, Rossa, Rossaia, Rossastro, Rossellino, Rossolino, Rossolo, Rusciola,
Tordino
ORIGIN: Lazio, Abruzzo, Marche e Umbria
USE: Oil
TREE: An
oil variety from Central Italy,
SANTA CATERINA
SYNONYMS:
OLIVA di S.BIAGO, OLIVA LUCCHESE
ORIGIN:
TUSCANY
USE: TABLE
TREE: A
plant of notable growth, very vigorous with a globular, expansive crown. The
leaves are elliptical-lanceolate, regular in shape, rather short and light
green in color.
FRUIT: Very
large (7-9 grams), ellipsoidal, asymmetrical with a rounded tip and sub-conical
base. Ripening is early, harvest generally takes place in September when the
olives are still of a beautiful intense green color.
AGRONOMY: A
valuable table variety that has a very high ovarian abortion rate of 60-70%. A
good, regular producer, excellent resistance to the cold and good resistance to
peacock spot.
COMMENTS:
An excellent table variety that is widely planted both within and outside the
Mediterranean basin.
TAGGIASCA
SYNONYMS:
Lavaginina
ORIGIN: Liguria
USE: Oil
TREE: Of
medium vigor with a pendulant open shape. The crown is very branched, spread
out and well supplied with small, flexible fruiting branches at well spaced
nodes. The leaves are medium to large, elliptical and elongated and are a shiny
dark green color on the upper side.
FRUIT:
Cylindrical, elongated, slightly fatter at the bottom and of medium weight
(3-3.5 grams). The fruit matures middle to late season (November, December).
The fruit gives a relatively high yield in oil at the mill (23-26%) that is
prized for its organoleptic characteristics.
AGRONOMY:
The principal cultivar of Liguria, self pollinating with a consistent and high
production: flowers with aborted ovaries are at a minimum. It has a good
resistance to all problems of pests and diseases.
COMMENTS:
This variety is relatively recent origin but is very prized for its production
and its yield in oil.
