Mission olive facts for kids

The Mission olive is a special type of olive tree. It was first grown in California by Spanish missions over 200 years ago. These missions were like early settlements in California. The trees were planted along a famous road called El Camino Real.

This unique olive is very important. It is part of the Ark of Taste. This is a list of special foods that are in danger of disappearing. The Mission olive is also the only American olive type recognized by the International Olive Council. Even though it started in the United States, Mission olives are also grown in South Africa for making olive oil.

What Makes Mission Olives Special?

Mission olive trees can grow very tall, sometimes up to 40 or 50 feet (about 12 to 15 meters). They produce small olives, usually weighing around 4.1 grams each.

These olives are known for having the least amount of flesh compared to their pit. They are also very good at handling cold weather. This makes them strong trees for growing in California.

When Are Mission Olives Harvested?

Farmers pick Mission olives at different times depending on how they will be used.

• For eating at the table, they are picked from late October through November.
• For making olive oil, they are harvested later, between mid-December and February.

What Problems Can Mission Olives Face?

Like all plants, Mission olive trees can get sick. They can be affected by two main diseases:

• Peacock spot: This is caused by a fungus called Cycloconium oleaginum.
• Olive knot: This is caused by a bacterium called Pseudomonas savastanoi.

How Are Mission Olives Used?

Mission olives are very versatile! They are one of the most important types of olives grown in California.

Eating Olives

Mission olives are one of five main types of olives grown in California for eating. They are enjoyed as table olives, often cured to reduce their bitterness. Other popular eating olives include Ascolano, Barouni, Manzanilla, and Sevillana.

Making Olive Oil

Mission olives have been used to make olive oil since the time of the Spanish missions. Their oil is known for its good quality.

Where Do Mission Olives Grow Today?

In 1992, Mission olives made up about eight percent of all olive farms in California. They used to be the most common type of olive until 1875. That's when new types, like the Manzanilla olive, were brought to California.

Even with new olives, the Mission olive is still one of the most common types in the state. A big area for growing Mission olives is the Oroville district in Butte County.

The History of Mission Olives

Olive trees first came to California with the Franciscan mission of San Diego de Alcalá. People likely started growing olives seriously within the first 20 years of the mission.

How the Mission Olive Became Unique

After the missions changed, the original olive trees faced some challenges. However, brave pioneers saved the trees by taking cuttings from them. These cuttings were planted to grow new trees. Over time, these new trees developed into the distinct Mission olive type we know today.

Where Did They Really Come From?

For a long time, people thought the Mission olive came directly from Spain. Researchers in Spain tried to find a link to any of the 700 Spanish olive types, but they couldn't.

New DNA tests in California suggest something different. The Mission olive might be related to Picholine Marocaine, an olive type from Morocco. It's possible that Spanish settlers first brought the olives that would become the Mission trees to Mexico, and then they made their way to California.