Terre Tarentine facts for kids
The Terre Tarentine extra-virgin olive oil is a special type of olive oil. It is made mostly from three kinds of olives: Leccino, Coratina, and Ogliarola. These olives make up at least 80% of the oil. A small amount of other local olive types are also mixed in. This oil is recognized as a PDO product. PDO stands for "Protected Designation of Origin." This means it comes from a specific area and is made in a special way.
Where Does This Olive Oil Come From?
Olive trees have been grown in the area near the Gulf of Taranto for a very long time. People called the Messapians first started growing them around 1000 BC. Later, the ancient Greeks and Phoenicians helped make olive farming even better. You can see old Greek jars, called amphorae, at the National Archeological Museum of Taranto. These jars show pictures of myths and stories about olive trees and how they were grown.
The Home of Terre Tarentine Olive Oil
The Terre Tarentine extra-virgin olive oil is made in the western part of the province of Taranto. This area is in the Apulia region of Italy, right next to the Basilicata region. It is also along the Ionian Sea coast.
The oil comes from olives grown in these towns:
- Taranto
- Ginosa
- Laterza
- Castellaneta
- Palagianello
- Palagiano
- Mottola
- Massafra
- Crispiano
- Statte
- Martina Franca
- Monteiasi
- Montemesola
The soil in this region is mostly sandy and has a lot of limestone. This type of soil is great for growing olive trees.
What Makes It Special?
The Terre Tarentine extra-virgin olive oil has a beautiful yellow color with hints of green. It tastes fruity, with a little bit of a bitter and spicy kick. This oil is perfect for many dishes. It tastes great with raw or cooked vegetables. It also goes well with main courses like meat. Many people love it with fish dishes. It is often used in traditional recipes, especially those made with the famous Mussels of Taranto.
