Cayon olive facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cayon |
|
|---|---|
| Olive (Olea europaea) | |
| Color of the ripe fruit | Black |
| Also called | Entrecastellen, Plant d'Etranger, Race De Montfort |
| Origin | France |
| Notable regions | Var |
| Hazards | Olive fruit fly, cold |
| Use | Oil |
| Oil content | High/medium |
| Fertility | Self-sterile |
| Growth form | Spreading |
| Leaf | Elliptic |
| Weight | Medium |
| Shape | Ovoid |
| Symmetry | Asymmetrical |
The Cayon is a special type of olive tree. It grows mostly in the Var region, which is in southern France. People mainly use its olives to make delicious olive oil. The Cayon tree is also super important because it helps other olive trees grow fruit!
Contents
Where Does Cayon Grow?
The Cayon olive tree is very common in the Var area of southern France. You can also find it in other parts of southern France. It even grows in Algeria!
People sometimes call the Cayon by other names. In France, it might be called Entrecastellen or Plant d'Etranger. In Algeria, it has a different name: Roulette de Sóumam.
What Does a Cayon Tree Look Like?
The Cayon is a strong olive tree. It grows wide, with branches spreading out. Its leaves are shaped like an oval. They are not too long and are of medium width.
The Olives
The olives from a Cayon tree are a medium size. They are shaped like an egg and are not perfectly even on both sides. Inside the olive, the pit (or stone) is smooth. It has a rounded top and a pointy bottom.
Cayon olives are ready to pick early in the season. Harvesting usually starts in early November. When they are fully ripe, the olives turn a dark black color.
Making Olive Oil from Cayon Olives
The main reason people grow Cayon olives is to make olive oil. These olives give a good amount of oil, usually between 18% and 22% of their weight. It's also quite easy to get the oil out of them.
The oil from Cayon olives tastes "fruity and balanced." It has a soft, almond-like finish. Sometimes, Cayon olives are mixed with another type of olive called Grossane to make olive oil.
How Cayon Trees Grow and Help Others
Cayon olive trees are known for producing a lot of olives. However, they often have a "biennial bearing" habit. This means they might have a really good harvest one year, and then a smaller one the next year.
Helping Other Trees
Most experts agree that the Cayon tree cannot pollinate itself. It needs other olive trees nearby to help it produce fruit. This is where the Cayon becomes super helpful! It is highly valued for its ability to pollinate other olive varieties. It helps trees like the Olivière and the Tanche produce more olives.
Staying Healthy
The Cayon tree is generally strong against most common pests. However, it can be affected by the Bactrocera oleae, also known as the olive fruit fly. Cayon trees are also a bit sensitive to very cold weather. But they are quite good at handling dry conditions!
