De Olea europaea there is only one, but of varieties of olive trees there are a few more depending on the area where it has been raised since its evolution began or the artificial selection that has been made.
Thus, today we have more than 30, and only in Spain. Know the most important.
alfafara
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It is one of the oldest varieties; moreover, it is believed that the Phoenicians introduced it to the peninsula. With 6.000 hectares of olive groves, stands out for its resistance against diseases and its flavor. For additional information on its cultivation and maintenance, you can consult our article on the olive tree cultivation and the different varieties of olive trees in Spain.
Sevillian Gordal
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It is the most appreciated table olive, produced, as its name indicates, by the Sevillian olive trees. Its size is large, and the most interesting thing is that it can also be used to produce oil. However, it is prone to wire rot, which is why the bitterness must be removed with caustic soda to improve quality. This process can affect the quality of the oil, so it is useful to know the appropriate techniques. the fertilizer of the olive trees and review the alternate bearing of fruit trees.
forge
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It is a variety grown especially in Castellón, although it has 20.000 hectares of olive groves throughout the Mediterranean. High performance, the olive is destined for olive mills to produce olive oil. To better understand the cultivation context and the characteristics of the dryland agriculture which are applied in many regions, it is advisable to explore further.
Hojiblanca
Grown on approximately 265.000 hectares across the country, it is the third most important variety. It is found mainly in Córdoba, and It is produced for table olives, but it must also be said that its oil is delicious. The care of this variety can benefit from the information available at Our practical guide to a healthy olive tree and techniques of olive tree maintenance.
Picual
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It is by far the most important, cultivated on more than 1 million hectares across the country, but especially in Jaén. Its productivity is very high, and as an oil it is exquisiteIn fact, all this is leading to its increasing use both in production fields and in private orchards. For those interested in the impact of cold weather on this variety, it is advisable to consult the olive tree and its resistance to cold and the process of olive tree cultivation.
Weevil
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Originally from Córdoba, it is a variety very rustic and high productivity Used as both a table olive and as oil, the latter produced in oil mills where they extract an extra virgin olive oil with a flavor that will leave no one indifferent. For a more detailed look at this type of olive, be sure to visit Information on verticillium wilt of olive trees.
Do you know other varieties of olive trees?