Oil, basic food for the people of the Mediterranean and staple of the so-called mediterranean diet, is also a key product for the economy of Florence and Tuscany.
Even the Fiesole area is full of the evidence of olive growing, since ancient times. Today too, as a matter of fact, olive trees frame the Etruscan and Roman remains in the archaeological area of Fiesole.
From this background, in the knowledge that a rich biodiversity is a guarantee for balance and sustainability over time, the Organic District Association has decided to start a survey program of the olive phenotypes that are peculiar to the Fiesole area.
From the census of morphological features of the olive tree examples that are found on the farms and on the public land of Fiesole, about thirty olive trees with phenotypes that are not related to known cultivars were found: the aim is to take advantage of these peculiar features and of the adaptability of the local varieties, both to face the adverse climatic and environmental conditions and to create a kind of olive growing that, besides being high quality, can ensure uniqueness in terms of management and bond with the land of origin.
The olive samples that have been collected and analysed have shown very good amounts of oleic acid, this being one of the fundamental chemistry values for the identification of high quality oil. Furthermore, each identified and recorded tree was given a name expressing its place within the farm and the area.
During the 2020 crushing the olives of each of these unique trees were harvested and pressed individually, thus obtaining the Biodiversity Oil and the Theatre Oil that, besides the excellent quality, are the expression of the work of all the participants of the Fiesole olive growing industry, who collaborated towards the common goal of protection and appreciation of the area and its local produce. This year's products have only been made with the purpose of promoting and educating about the project that was launched in collaboration with the Institute of Bio Economy of the Florence CNR, therefore these oils are not intended for sale.
The Organic District of Fiesole has been working closely together with the Consortium for the protection of Tuscan PGI Extra Virgin Olive Oil in order to guarantee the origin, traceability and quality of the Fiesole productions that will be sold, with the prior consent of the Consortium, with the additional indication Fiesole on the label.
It is possible to download the Fiesole municipality map with the localisation of the trees and the legend of their names.
Olio della biodiversità del Teatro Romano di Fiesole
Via Portigiani, 1, 50014 Fiesole FI, Italia
