In my search for special products to highlight and recommend, I have discovered AOVE Hacienda Abuela María. With its origins in Úbeda, a mythical place in the province of Jaén, this extra virgin olive oil represents a unique expression of the picual variety.
This is one of those projects with soul, where the family tradition is impregnated with strength and roots. A family tradition of love for the olive tree that is currently managed by the fourth generation. In its naming, an exceptional protagonist projects all the essence and goodness of this high quality AOVE: Grandmother María.
Here we have gone through all the stages that demonstrate the authenticity of the good harvesters. From the most ancient, harvesting by hand and transporting the olives by donkey, to the most modern, where mechanization and technology allow us to obtain a high quality fruit. In this way, together with the particularities of the place and the idiosyncrasy of the people, an AOVE of remarkable personality is achieved.
AOVE Hacienda Abuela María comes from centenary olive trees
These olive trees are located in two estates: Pago Puente Ariza in the municipality of Úbeda and Pago Santa Rosa de Lima in the municipality of Baeza. Both cities are World Heritage Sites.
Both estates have different soil and climatic characteristics. This favors the design of the blend with unique characteristics. The Puente Ariza Estate is located in the foothills of the Sierra Morena, where the Guadalimar River flows. The altitude of the land, at 700 meters, gives the olives magnificent properties, which are very noticeable in the taste.
Many areas of the farm are difficult to access, for the care and harvesting, is on foot, not being able to access agricultural machinery. Although productivity is lower, the singularity is greater, achieving positive attributes such as bitterness and spiciness.
Pago Santa Rosa de Lima is located a short distance from the Guadalquivir River and is an irrigated olive grove. In this case, the land is located at an altitude of 400 meters.
Two very outstanding AOVE: AOVE 8A Premium and AOVE Abuela María.
The first one, 8A, is an extra virgin olive oil from an early harvest in October, with 100% green olives. This fruity AOVE comes from the picual variety.
Abuela María AOVE is an extra virgin olive oil, early harvest in November with olives in veraison, with a golden green tone, also original of picual variety. Its green nuances of fresh fruit are very suggestive, with hints of vegetables and field plants. In addition, we can find in this oil sensations related to fig tree, ripe tomato, red apple and banana.
Both AOVES come from olive trees free of herbicides and insecticides, which allows us to obtain a high quality product, very healthy, which helps to take care of the environment.
I have had the opportunity to try both of them and I really liked them. I thank this family that with so much care takes care of a product like this generation after generation.
Below I tell you how to buy it:
Hacienda Abuela María website and online store
Instagram of Hacienda Abuela María
Photo credit: HAM
