Olive trees have been growing in the Sevillian countryside for 3000 years. In the region, they have kept the tradition of the so-called prietas black olives, a unique and artisan production that was destined to disappear. Luckily, Aceitunas La Prieta emerged 3 years ago to rescue this jewel of time.
For years, Antonio Sánchez, CEO of Aceitunas La Prieta, refused to lose that recipe that for so many years had been seen and saved in the houses. In the small village of Arahal, they try to kept alive the harvest of this natural black olive — without chemical processes or coloring — by using and artesanal picking. One by one and by hand through the olive groves, his team rescue the olives that the industry discards. “Our olives are wrinkled, like natural things. At the end, olives are a fruit ”, Antonio says.
In only 3 years and after many trial and errors, Aceitunas La Prieta is the only company in Spain that sells this type of olive, a rarity product on the market that is accompanied by its own dressing. Thank to a minimally invasive process in the environment, the goal of this Spanish company is to obtain the eco-certificate.
Why are Alahran olives so special?
There is a great tradition in the region, especially in the town of Alahran. It is not known with certainty where the name of black olives comes from. It can be from the Portuguese language “black” or from Spanish “tight” since they were made in the past in a wicker baskets, pressing the olives to extract the juice.
How long does it take from when the olive is born until it reaches the customer?
We have to wait more than a month, about 35 days of healing at least. It is almost oil what we collect. In fact, the black olive is a link between the oil and the olive. It is collected, dehydrated in an artisanal way, the olives are picked from the field, selected in the factory and then added to salt, which, as in ham, is when the moisture is removed from the product and concentrated. What we eat is fiber and oil. Then we add the dressing that has always been made in the region, although each house has its secret. Our recipe is olive oil, garlic, cumin, oregano and thyme.
How is the landscape in which these olive trees grow?
The black olive is born in a traditional crop. The Manzanillo olive tree is made to produce green olives in small quantities. It has very little load for the olive to ripen well.
The extensions are small and we have some external olive groves in which we collect olives that before, once dropped to the ground, were not collected. We have given an other chance and value to the traditional olive.
Why is this olive so exclusive? Is there a reason why it almost disappeared?
Because the artesanal processes. The industry has prioritized production. We are specialized in black olives and we use very few machinery because this type of olive requires great care when picking them. We do not use any chemicals, we only use salt, a natural producto and they dry is in the sun in our natural dryer.
For those who have not tried this type of olive, how is its flavor?
It is difficult to say. The flavor cannot be compared to other black olives. They have nothing to do with it. There is no chemical process and this tradition was born in countries that have olive trees for 3000 years.
It is similar to the Kalamata or the Bajo Aragón olive. It is salty but not excessive touch and has the flavor of oil and fiber, perfect for salads and especially in the format of pate.
What is your customer profile?
Above all, our customer is a gourmet customer, who is looking for natural products. Our goal is to obtain the eco certificate, in a year or less. Our handcraft work is so natural that it fits with the certification. It is a 100% sustainable product and respects the environment in which it is grown compared to intensively cultivated olive groves.
Looking ahead to the next few years, which are your goals?
This year we want bigger clients. We would also like to launch a new line of pâté and we have created a new sustainable packaging. And of course, keep improving the product!
Why did you join Spainery?
I liked the project from the beginning. It is a direct way of reaching the end customer and presenting the product. We are very happy and there is a good base. The market outside is a jungle and having a platform like this gives a lot of confidence.
Here, you can find La Prieta Olives products
