Liquid gold of the Overberg

Writer: Tweet Gainsborough-Waring.

Olive trees thrive in the Mediterranean climate, which is why the Western Cape, with its mild winters and long, hot, dry summers is ideally suited to their cultivation. With the Overstrand’s recent designation as a Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy, finding a number of top olive oil producers in and around Hermanus came as no surprise, with some farms offering olive oil tastings.

Hans Evenhuis outside the olive barn at Hemelrand.

PHOTO: Tweet Gainsborough-Waring

The first two olive trees in the Cape were planted by Jan van Riebeeck in 1661. In the early 20th century Ferdinando Costa, an Italian immigrant, started experimenting with olive cultivation. He began large-scale planting in Paarl in 1925 and, since the 1930s, the industry has grown rapidly, with more than 300 olive producers countrywide. Produced from quality cultivars, South African olive oils have regularly received awards at an international level.

Adriaan Davids in the FS17 block at Gabriëlskloof.

PHOTO: Tweet Gainsborough-Waring

Like wine, a unique culture has evolved around olive oil that encompasses its production and of course the gastronomic and health aspects of the end product.

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