Olives have been cultivated on the island of Krk for centuries and the oil from Krk olive trees is widely known as one of the highest quality and healthier olive oils! It is impossible to imagine a lunch at the restaurant on Krk without tasting Krk oil, and visit to the olive grove is an inevitable part of the visit to the island of Krk.
Designation of origin
How much Krk is proud of its olive oil tells the long-term efforts of olive growers to protect the authentic olive oil, which was achieved in 2016. with fesignation of origin. The whole process of obtaining oil, from olive growing to oil processing, as well as filling, takes place in the area of the island of Krk and the islets that belong to it administratively.
An autochthonous olive cultivars
A series of autochthonous olive varieties is cultivated on the island of Krk, named Debel, Drobnica, Rošulja and Plominka. These are very different olives, for example, olives of the Debel variety are very large, low temperature resistant, while Drobnica is a small olive tree that is vulnerable to wind and cold.
Special features of olive harvesting on the island of Krk
Since olive oil is protected by a designation of origin, the very way of maintaining and harvesting olives on the island of Krk is arranged to preserve its rich history of olive growing. The olives from which the protected olive oil is produced can only be picked directly from the tree, primarily by hand, so that the olives that fall on the ground are not used!
The olive harvest is dependent on weather conditions for the ripening of the fruit, as well as on olive varieties, and lasts from October to December. Participation in olive harvesting is considered top-notch experience and is well attended!
Events
If you find yourself in a holiday home on Krk in the fall or spring, you have the opportunity to participate in one of the two great annual olive-grove events. The Punat Tourist Board organizes Days of Olives in Autumn, where olive oil workshops are held and local olive groves can be tasted. The Association of Olive Grove of Krk Island - Drobnica, in spring is organizing Drobnica fest, event of olive growers and cheese producers with competitive part and rating of the best olive oils.
Where to buy and taste Krk olive oil?
If you visit one of the many restaurants on the island of Krk, be sure to ask whether the oil that you are served is from the island of Krk. It is no surprise to mention that Krk island oil is the subject of scientific research in the ARISTOIL project, which explores the healing properties of olive oil in the Mediterranean. Of course, olive oil can also be found on Krk directly at the olive growers who produce it.
