What Makes Bracu Estate Olive Oil the Finest Quality Oil?

From the shores of the Mediterranean to the hills of Bombay, Bracu Estate has perfected the art of olive oil making in New Zealand.  

The journey of the Mediterranean olive began 6,000 years ago - many believed this wild bush from the stony grounds of Persia was a gift from the gods, a heaven-sent fruit that yielded an oil of mythical standing. 

The Greeks took the olive as their own, cultivating it in the windswept lands that border the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, and creating more efficient and successful processes for extracting the oil. Only virgin girls were permitted to cultivate the fruit, hence the name. Today, the term refers to acidity levels in the oil.    

Fortunately for us, the Greeks were generous with their new-found knowledge. And now, thousands of years later, the love affair with olives continues at Bracu Estate, where their trees took six short years to mature and reach full production—five times faster than their European counterparts. Great location? Kiwi magic? Bracu Estate like to think it’s a bit of both. 

BRACU ESTATE 

Bracu Estate rests on the sunlit slopes of the Bombay hills, 50 kilometres south of Auckland City. Built from the ground up in 1999, Bracu Estate produced their first extra virgin olive oil three short years later. Since then, Bracu has nurtured and perfected their extra virgin olive oil into the award-winning olive oil it is today.  

BRACU ESTATE’S EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL 

Bracu Estate control the whole process of growing, pressing, and bottling to ensure they provide their customers with the finest quality olive oil. Only the best fruit is harvested and cold pressed the same day. This captures all the natural health benefits while preserving the pristine flavour and signature aroma that can only come from the best extra virgin olive oil. Bracu Estate extra virgin olive oils contain no salt and are cholesterol free. They also bottle their oil in dark glass to preserve the essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.  

FIRST DAY OF HARVEST 2022 EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL - 500ml 

This limited edition extra virgin olive oil from Bracu Estate is picked, pressed and bottled on the very first day of this season's harvest to capture the clean, green flavours and astringency that makes fresh olive oil so wonderful. 

Harvested from their 'X-Max' block of trees, the olives have benefited from the north-facing natural basin, which captures all day sun, while being sheltered from cooler south westerly winds.  

This extra virgin olive oil is a true benchmark of quality and taste, providing green, grassy and fresh aromas and an astringent tingle on your tongue, followed by a pungent, pepper taste in the back of your throat that. A beautiful oil that you’ll use time and again.  

All orders of the First Day of Harvest 2022 Extra Virgin Olive Oil include a reusable box and are hand-signed by the makers. Click here to pre-order your bottle now! 

BENEFITS OF OLIVE OIL 

• Anti-inflammatory 
• Packed with antioxidants—great for protecting your immune system 
• Oleic acid is extremely good for heart health 
• High source of vitamin E 
• Regulates and balances insulin levels 
• Olive oil is a ‘good fat’ 
• Anti-bacterial properties 

TASTING 

When establishing the estate, Bracu chose to produce delicate oils that are pleasant on the palate and easily swallowed. Their oils are ‘drinkable’ oils, and this makes them popular throughout New Zealand. 

Bracu Estate’s extra virgin olive oil is classed as ‘delicate’ to ‘medium’ tasting, well-balanced with crisp, fresh and fruity, green grassy notes on the tongue, almond notes on the throat and a slight peppery after-taste.  

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A GOOD OIL 

• clarity 
• no sediment 
• fresh, clean, ‘green’ aroma  

COOKING WITH BRACU ESTATE OLIVE OIL  

When you shop Bracu Estate’s range of premium olive oils, try a few of these handy cooking tips to enhance your meals.  

EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL 

The finest and most versatile of all extra virgin olive oils, blended from the finest varieties of olives found on the estate. Brush over bruschetta for easy entertaining, or simply drizzle over pasta, potatoes and fresh salads. Use as a marinade to enhance your favourite meats and vegetables before grilling.  

FRANTOIO EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL 

The crème de la crème of olive oils, Bracu Estate’s medium-bodied, extra virgin Frantoio olive oil brings intensity and depth to the simplest of summer salads. Its lovely green flavour is bold enough to drizzle over grilled poultry and vegetables. Frantoio is a single variety premium extra virgin olive oil grown, pressed and bottled at Bracu Olive Estate. 

GARLIC INFUSED OLIVE OIL 

Infused with crushed garlic, this extra virgin olive oil has incredible flavour. Add to mashed potato and your favourite roast, or drizzle over bread. It’s perfect in marinades and dressings or simply tossed through steaming pasta with fresh herbs and parmesan.  

ROSEMARY INFUSED OLIVE OIL 

Infused with the flavour and aroma of fresh rosemary, this fragrant extra virgin olive oil will enhance the flavour of any lamb or chicken dish, while adding delicious taste and subtle aroma to roast vegetables and Mediterranean inspired dishes. 

LEMON INFUSED OLIVE OIL 

Infused with the flavour and aroma extracted from the rinds of fresh lemons, this extra virgin olive oil has a delicious tangy flavour. Its delicate acidity enhances chicken and fish dishes or simply drizzle over a salad for the perfect summer dressing. 

TRUFFLE INFUSED OLIVE OIL 

Infused with black truffles, this well-balanced aromatic extra virgin olive oil will enhance the flavour of any pasta dish or risotto. A smooth yet distinctive, rich earthy truffle flavour is ideal for drizzling over roast vegetables, mashed potato or cooked meat. It is best used as a finishing oil rather than a cooking oil. 

To shop Bracu Estate’s range of premium quality olive oils, visit bracu.co.nz  

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