Description
The Azeitona de Conserva Negrinha de Freixo PDO is an olive from the Olea europeae sativa Hoffg Link in the Negrinha variety. It is a small olive, which because of the excellent climate can be grown without the use of pesticides. This olive does not have the characteristics needed to produce oil but is an excellent preserved olive.
Production Area
Azeitona de Conserva Negrinha de Freixo PDO olives are made in the municipal areas of Vila Nova de Foz Côa, Freixo de Espada à Cinta, Torre de Moncorvo, Alfândega da Fé, Vila Flor, Mirandela and Macero de Cavaleiros, in the districts of Bragança and Guarda.
Production Method
The harvesting of the olives and their sorting, stoning and stuffing is all done by hand. The olives can be: 1) green olives: these are unripe olives and are preserved in brine; 2) treated black olives: these are nearly ripe olives which are a green to violet black in colour and are treated with sodium hydroxide to eliminate bitterness and then conserved in brine; 3) Ripe olives: these are violet coloured ripe olives in 8% to 10% brine.
Appearance and Flavour
Azeitona de Conserva Negrinha de Freixo PDO olives vary in colour according to the degree of ripeness, from a yellowy green colour to a violet black. They are rounded in shape, slightly pointed at one end with a smooth skin. The stone is small and is easily removed from the flesh which consists of 83% of the fruit. The weight varies from 3 gr to 5 gr and the volume from 3 cm³ to 5 cm³.
History
There were already 251,694 Negrinha variety olive trees in 1954 in the municipality of Freixo de Espada à Cinta used for the production of preserved olives. The origins of Azeitona de Conserva Negrinha de Freixo PDO however is related to the industrialisation of olive cultivation and production which began at the end of the 19th century with Brandão Gomes. These preserved olives were exported principally to Brazil.
Gastronomy
Azeitona de Conserva Negrinha de Freixo PDO olives are preserved in brine, with the possible addition of an acidifier, which must cover the olives to prevent oxidisation or a patina from forming on the surface of the fruit. They are often eaten with local dishes or with an aperitif.
Marketing
These olives are sold as Azeitona de Conserva Negrinha de Freixo PDO and in the following varieties; Azeitona green, Azeitona treated black olives and Azeitona ripe olives in brine. They are sold in tins.
Distinctive Features
Azeitona de Conserva Negrinha de Freixo PDO are small sized but fleshy olives and the stone is easily removed, therefore an ideal fruit in the preparation of Portuguese dishes that traditionally accompany the aperitif.
