An enterprising UK farmer hopes a small olive grove in the heart of rural Essex could fuel an English olive oil boom, with bottles potentially on supermarket shelves just two years from now.
Peter Thompson, who runs his Nature Based Farming business in Great Oakley in the southeastern county of England, is working alongside British Mediterranean food brand Belazu to create small batches of extra virgin olive oil from 1,300 trees.
Thompson, the third-generation farmer, said Sunday weather He is hopeful that Belazu, currently the largest importer of olives in the UK, will invest more in production if tests prove the oil is extra virgin.
If production is successful, it would be the first of its kind commercially manufactured on English soil.
Thompson said: “When people started experimenting with English wine in the 1980s and 1990s, they were laughed at in town by our cousins in the Champagne region.
‘Now they are among the best in the world. Why not also produce our own olive oil?
In a recent blog post, the farmer said the arrival of warmer weather had made English olive oil a definite possibility, saying: “The UK’s changing climate means we now have a longer growing season.” long”.
“As for vines and even citrus, this gives trees like olive trees a little more time to flower, set and ripen fruit.”
British Mediterranean food brand Belazu is working together with British farmer Peter Thompson to try to make the UK’s first extra virgin olive oil.
Global warming has devastated olive oil production in many warmer countries in recent years, including Spain, driving up the cost per liter, although prices have now fallen somewhat (pictured: an olive grove in Epidavros , Greece).
Today it was revealed that the global price of olive oil will finally fall after the impact of climate change finally eased in some of Europe’s largest producing countries, particularly Spain.
Hot weather and drafts have severely affected production levels in the country (and elsewhere) and prices have soared to around £8.30 a litre.
However, there has been better news in recent weeks: production has increased again and prices have now fallen to around £4.15 a litre.
In January 2021, the average price of a bottle of olive oil was £3.54.
But by April 2024, MailOnline research found the average had soared to £9.49, an increase of more than 168 per cent.
The market for luxury olive oil bottles has increased enormously in recent years, with sweet tooths willing to pay top dollar – often upwards of £30 per liter – for the best cold-pressed nectars.
This has led unscrupulous producers to augment their products with cheaper oils. In the UK, only high-quality extra virgin olive oil can legally carry the “extra virgin” label.
To get the real thing, look for bottles marked with text that says: “Premium olive oil obtained directly from olives and solely by mechanical means.”
Also, look for a DOP, or ‘Protected Designation of Origin’, seal on the bottle.
Olive oil bearing the ‘Protected Designation of Origin’ seal (below right) is more likely to have undergone extensive chemical testing before being exported.
The health benefits of extra virgin olive oil have been known for a long time: it is part of the “Mediterranean diet” consumed in countries such as Italy, Spain, France and Greece.
People who eat this way, with lots of vegetables, fruits, fish, nuts and grains in addition to olive oil, are noticeably healthier and live longer.
According to a long-term study conducted in 2022, spanning three decades, consuming more than half a tablespoon of olive oil per day could reduce the risk of dying from heart disease and cancer.
Study participants were asked about their diet every four years, including olive oil used in salad dressings, added to food or bread, and used for baking or frying at home.
They were followed for 28 years, during which time 36,856 people died.
Researchers found that people who consumed more than half a tablespoon of olive oil a day were 19 percent less likely to die from any cause than people who rarely or never consumed olive oil.
Their risk of dying from cardiovascular disease was 19 percent lower and their risk of dying from cancer was 17 percent lower.
A big advantage of olive oil may be that people use it instead of fatty products such as butter and mayonnaise, which helps reduce the level of “bad” cholesterol.
The advice of Which? It comes shortly after furious shoppers branded the cost of olive oil “disgusting” after prices nearly tripled in three years. Pictured: The price of the cheapest 500ml bottle of olive oil in every UK supermarket.
Those in the know recently provided wisdom on the best way to store your favorite bottle, too.
While many people like to keep olive oil next to the hob for easy access, the experts at Which? have warned that this could cause the liquid to go rancid more quickly. Instead, they advise storing it in a cool, dark place.
‘Keeping olive oil in a cupboard away from light, heat and oxygen will help prolong its life and prevent it from going bad too quickly’, which one? explained.
When purchasing olive oil, look for labels that provide additional information, such as the name of the producer, the variety of olive, or the exact region of cultivation (file image)
Unlike wine, olive oil doesn’t improve over time, so you shouldn’t leave it there for years.
“Once the bottle is opened, it is exposed to oxygen, which causes the oil to deteriorate,” the experts added.
“For maximum flavor and health benefits, use within a couple of months.”
While which? recommends keeping olive oil away from any heat source; It is also best to avoid the refrigerator.
“Do not store it in the refrigerator,” experts warned.
‘You may have heard that keeping olive oil in the refrigerator will help it last longer, but our experts don’t recommend it. It is best to store it in a cool, dark closet.
Experts also recommend paying close attention to packaging.
“Our experts recommend avoiding oil sold in clear plastic bottles, which can negatively affect the taste of the oil,” he explained.
‘Ideally, opt for a dark-colored can or glass bottle rather than a clear one.
“This helps block light and prevent oil from spoiling, both on store shelves and when you get home.”