Following the announcement of the 2020 #SAOliveAwards & #AbsaTop10 Olive Oils Awards in South Africa, we are presenting a series of interviews with each Gold-winning producer.
Absa Top 10 Winner: Morgenster EVOO
SA Olive Gold Winners: Morgenster EVOO & Don Carlo
Name of the oil: Morgenster Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Style: Medium
Cultivars used for this oil: FS17, Don Carlo, Frantoio & Other
Litres produced: 40000 lt
Tasting notes: Colour: An intense limpid golden yellow colour, with light green hues. Nose: Its aroma is clean and elegant, with hints of artichoke, tomatoes and wild chicory, together with notes of mint, rosemary and sage. Palate: Its taste is full and strong, with a spicy flavour of black pepper and a distinct note of almonds. Bitterness is definite, and pungency is distinct.
When tasting an olive oil, you should put enough oil in your mouth to roll around your mouth and cover your tongue. To get the most off the palate, suck some air into your mouth to aspirate the oil – this will allow you to notice the flavours of the individual component oils. Also notice the consistency of the oil. Morgenster extra virgin olive oil is an intense oil that leaves you with a very clean finish. As you swallow the oil you will notice a pleasant bitterness on the roof of your mouth and a peppery burn down the back of your throat – both distinct characteristics of an excellent quality oil.
Best paired with which food: Morgenster’s extra virgin olive oil makes a fabulous salad dressing. Drizzle over toasted bruschetta, Italian or other breads instead of butter. It makes excellent mayonnaise and is ideal on salmon appetizers, legume salads, marinated fish and roast vegetables. Serve it on baby potatoes, bean puree, pasta with tomato sauce, steamed shrimps, tuna tartare, roast rabbit, grilled poultry, and goats cheese.
Name of the oil: Don Carlo Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Style: Medium
Cultivars used for this oil: Don Carlo
Litres produced: 5000 lt
Tasting notes: Colour: Bright yellowy gold. Nose: The first whiff is of freshly cut grass and olives. By warming the oil slightly with your hand, the secondary aromas of medium to high fruity notes of olive and tomato leaf will become more evident. Palate: When tasting an olive oil, you should put enough oil in your mouth to roll around your mouth and cover your tongue. To get the most off the palate, suck some air into your mouth to aspirate the oil – this will allow you to notice the flavours of the individual component oil and its characteristics. You will also notice the consistency of the oil. This Don Carlo extra virgin olive oil will present you with intense peppery flavours, with a slightly bitter taste. Characteristic green flavours of artichokes, green tomato and tomato leaf will follow. As you swallow the oil you will notice a peppery tickle in the back of your throat that will develop over time to a gentle burn that may make you cough – all signs of a good quality, fresh olive oil.
Best paired with which food: This is an intense oil and is perfect to combine with dishes with bold flavours and unflinching ingredients; think of hearty winter soups especially those with beans as a base, drizzle them lavishly with the oil and serve with crusty bread. Use on any dish or ingredient that you would normally enhance with the addition of pepper – the peppery taste of the oil will bring out the very best from your ingredients.
Name of the oil: Woolworths Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Style: Medium
Cultivars used for this oil: Frantoio, FS17, Leccino, Mission, Coratina and mix
Litres produced: 50000 lt
Tasting notes: Colour: Beautiful intense golden yellow colour with delicate green hues. Nose: Its aroma is elegant with fruity notes of tomato leaf and green apple, together with fragrant hints of mint, rosemary and sage. Palate: This taste is complex and fine, with a spicy flavour of black pepper. Bitterness is distinct and pungency is definite with an almond finish.
Best paired with which food: Whisk up your own vinaigrette using WW EVOO and balsamic vinegar as a salad dressing with your favourite greens and vegetables. You can drizzle a light coat over whatever you’re eating to instantly create a flavour explosion. It would be ideal on bruschetta with tomatoes, tuna carpaccio, baked potatoes, legume soups, risotto’s, grilled fish, lamb and goats cheese.
Producer history: The farm is predominately planted with only Italian olive varieties. Morgenster’s oils are extracted by a state-of-the-art Pieralisi olive press in a temperature controlled process which retains the lovely flavours, aromas and health-giving characteristics of the oil. The estate’s first olive oils were released into the market in 1998, made in the purest way possible, with no additives.
For over a decade Morgenster extra virgin olive oil has received some the highest accolades in the world from significant international competitions. Morgenster produces unique South African extra virgin olive oils – that are high in antioxidants and good fats, promoting a delicious and healthy lifestyle.
Short introduction to the oil maker & his/her comment on the 2020 harvest: Team Morgenster.
Where to buy: From our online shop/Instore at Woolworths and online.
Tel: +27 (0)21 852 1738
Website: https://morgensterestate.co.za/product-category/olive-oil/
For more SA Olive Awards winners click here.
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