Description
The Montes de Toledo PDO extra virgin olive oil is made from the Cornicabra variety of olive.
Production Area
The production area of Montes de Toledo PDO is located in the province of the same name, Toledo, and the province of Ciudad Real in the Autonomous Community of Castilla-La Mancha.
Production Method
The olives are harvested by the traditional shaking or beating method. They must be transported to the mill within 24 hours. The crushing phase must last no longer than 60 minutes and must not exceed a temperature of 30°C. The oil is stored in stainless steel or resin or fibreglass lined containers and the stabilising phase is carried out in glass, lined metal, PET or vitrified ceramic containers.
Appearance and Flavour
Montes de Toledo PDO extra virgin olive oil is dense with a fruity flavour; it has a medium bitterness and acidity and is very stable. The colour, depending on the time of the harvest and the climatic conditions, varies from a golden yellow to an intense green.
History
The history of the Montes de Toledo PDO extra virgin olive oil has ancient origins deeply rooted in the tradition and in the territory of the production. The cultivation of olives in the province of Toledo and that of the Ciudad Real dates back to the colonisation of the Phoenicians and the Greeks and it was amplified during the Roman period continuing to expand until it entered our present culinary culture.
Gastronomy
Extra virgin olive oil is easily degradable and must be stored correctly to maintain its organoleptic qualities. It should therefore be kept in a cool, dark place at a temperature between 14 and 18°C, away from sources of heat and away from other foods which produce odours. It should be used within four to six months of pressing to enjoy its flavour at its best. Montes de Toledo PDO extra virgin olive oil is ideal as a condiment but it is also an excellent ingredient for a wide range of dishes. It is ideal as a condiment on salads and in pasta sauces as it enhances the natural flavours of the food.
Marketing
The product is sold as Montes de Toledo PDO extra virgin olive oil. It is available in bottles of 0.25, 0.5 and 0.75 l or in PET containers in 1, 2 and 5 l sizes.
Distinctive Features
What distinguishes Montes de Toledo PDO extra virgin olive oil is that it is made from a single variety of olive, the Cornicabra, which is ideally suited to the soil and the climate of this area.
