Karoo and Piketberg Olive Oils: How the Flavours Differ
By Daniel KantorNot all extra virgin olive oils taste the same. Some are delicate and buttery, while others are intensely fruity, grassy, bitter or peppery.
The flavour of an olive oil depends on several factors, including the olive cultivars, growing conditions, ripeness at harvest and production methods.
Karoo Gold
Karoo Gold is produced in the Little Karoo and offers a relatively gentle style of extra virgin olive oil. Its grassy character and soft peppery finish make it suitable for salads, dipping, cooking and everyday use.
Piketberg olive oils
Our Piketberg range includes oils with more pronounced green, grassy and peppery characteristics. These oils may appeal to customers who prefer a more robust extra virgin olive oil.
Comparing selected oils
| Olive oil | Region | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Karoo Gold | Little Karoo | Delicate to medium: grassy, gentle pepper |
| First Pressing | Piketberg | Medium to robust: green olive and pepper |
| Nocellara del Belice | Piketberg | Robust: grassy, with artichoke and green tomato notes |
Why do olive oils taste different?
Olive cultivar plays an important role in determining flavour. The ripeness of the olives at harvest also influences the finished oil.
Olives harvested while still relatively green can produce oils with more pronounced bitterness and pepperiness, while riper olives often produce a softer style. (See Is a green olive a better oil?)
Growing conditions, rainfall, temperature and the timing of the harvest all contribute to the character of the oil.
This is one of the things I find most fascinating about olive oil.
Nature never tastes the same.
Even olives from the same grove can produce oils with subtly different characteristics from one harvest to the next. These natural differences are part of what makes discovering and tasting olive oil so enjoyable.
How to taste olive oils
Pour a small quantity of each oil into a separate glass. Warm the glass gently in your hand and smell the oil before taking a small sip.
Notice the fruitiness, bitterness and any peppery sensation at the back of your throat.
Comparing different oils side by side is one of the best ways to appreciate their individual characteristics. For more, read what extra virgin olive oil should taste like.
Which olive oil should you choose?
If you prefer a gentler, more approachable olive oil, Karoo Gold is an excellent option.
For a more robust, peppery style, explore our Piketberg oils, such as First Pressing and Nocellara del Belice.
Our Wellington Farm olive oil, produced using our own press, offers another distinctive expression of South African extra virgin olive oil.
Ultimately, choosing olive oil is a matter of personal preference. There is no single flavour that everyone should prefer. Part of the enjoyment lies in discovering the oils that suit your own taste.