Who does not fall for the idea of eating a piece of crusty bread dipped in the best olive oil with a hint of salt? It’s amazing how simple ingredients can sometimes taste the most. Especially when it comes to regional products like the rewarded Majorcan olive oil AUBOCASSA. I was lucky to be invited to the farm to observe closely the harvest of olives and enjoy an unforgettable picnic in the middle of olive trees fields.
The most aromatic olives they use are grown on the island and processed immediately after harvest, pressed in cold until the best olive oil is obtained. In AUBOCASSA, QUALITY, EXPERIENCE, GOURMET and HIGH QUALITY are written in capital letters!
When Tiffany Blackman, representative of AUBOCASSA, told me about an exquisite picnic with olive oil tasting in the middle of magnificent olive groves, in the heart of Mallorca, I could not resist! I immediately signed up for this excursion and unique experience.
AUBOCASSA – A TRULY MAGICAL PLACE IN THE EAST OF MALLORCA
“AUBOCASSA”, a rustic wooden sign guides me along the way. I’m thrilled and excited while driving the last meters toward my destination. Once past the entrance, a beautiful Majorcan Finca is revealed to me, not far from Manacor, surrounded by fields of olive trees.
I get out of the car and look around, I’m impressed! The cloudless blue sky and the fresh air invite me to breathe deeply. I smell a delicate aroma of herbs and soil warmed by the sun. In the distance, I can also see donkeys. What an idyllic landscape!
Stunned, I’m led by the dog “Flecha” towards the Finca.
At the entrance, Tiffany Blackman is welcoming me with opened arms. She is the gentle representative of the house and my guide today, through the sacred place of AUBOCASSA. The native American from New Hampshire is in great a mood and obviously in her element. No wonder, when you do what you love as she told me! Spending day after day in nature and enjoying the peace and harmony of this beautiful island, in this wonderful countryside, isolated from the hustle and bustle of the city and the crowd. It’s been five years since Tiffany has been part of the AUBOCASSA team, and one can tell she really is the soul of the house.
HOW TO TURN WHITE WINE INTO ONE OF THE WORLD’S BEST OLIVE OILS
The AUBOCASSA estate has its origins in the 12th century and, therefore, is part of Majorcan history. When Mario Rotllant Solá, co-owner of Bodega Roda de La Rioja, acquired it in 1996, his first intention was to make high-quality white wine, but a market study revealed that Majorca was not ready for it yet. Mario Rotllant realized pretty soon the huge potential of growing olives instead. A daring decision at that time, since the olives were exclusively grown near the Sierra de Tramuntana. In spite of all the well-intentioned advice from locals, the passionate winemaker decided to produce a high-quality olive oil. His mission: delight the gourmets worldwide, not only with excellent wines from La Rioja, but also with an excellent olive oil from Majorca. And we can tell, he certainly succeeded!
The first olive oil press took place in 1998. Since then, many things have happened. The olive oil AUBOCASSA has continued to develop in the last 20 years. Today it is one of the best in the world without a doubt! Not only the numerous national and international awards prove it. Anyone who has tasted AUBOCASSA olive oil knows what I’m talking about.
That being said, let’s get back to my visit to the Finca!
AN OASIS OF RELAXATION AND CALM AMONGST THE OLIVE GROVES
Pass the garden, one arrives at the plantations. Gnarled trees radiate calm and tranquility. While walking I notice the unusually delicate olives, similar to cherries. They are surprisingly small and shine different shades of color, from delicate green to deep purple. “One of our secrets to success,” reveals Tiffany, “is that we harvest olives when they are the most aromatic, not when they release the greatest amount of oil.” Almost twice as many olives are needed to make a liter of oil.
TOP-QUALITY OLIVES BECAUSE OF SUSTAINABLE FARMING
The Mediterranean soil sterile of stone and clay slabs is ideal for olive and almond trees. However, the AUBOCASSA team deserves all the credit for the high fertility. Sustainability is very important. “We only take what we really need from the soil and then we give it back,” says Tiffany. In return, nature appreciates it by producing delicious olives of an excellent quality year after year. 8.000 trees are currently cultivated on 24 hectares of land. And they expect the area to expand significantly again next year.
MY FIRST OLIVE HARVEST – AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE
I take off my coat and enjoy the sunrays on my skin on this beautiful autumn day. The warm air smells of flowers and wood. Birds are singing and I think to myself: What a wonderful world!:) I welcome with gratitude this little getaway from the city which I usually appreciate so much.
In the background, I can hear the clogged noise from the harvester. Tree after tree, gently shaken and small olives are jumping in all directions. Bewitched, I watch as the producers skillfully capture the olives that bounce off their nets. The harvest must be finished before Christmas. Only what is harvested directly from the tree will be processed later. On average, around 80,000 bottles are produced per year, and the trend is increasing. 2017 promises to be an extraordinarily good year, says Tiffany Blackman. The team expects an extremely aromatic harvest.
THE WONDERFUL JOURNEY OF OLIVE OIL – FROM THE TREE INTO THE BOTTLE
I follow discreetly as the freshly harvested olives are brought to the farm. The machinery is already cracking at full speed. I observe the colorful olives on their wonderful journey through the imposing implements, where they are cleaned and grounded at a low temperature to separate the seeds, pulp, and water of the precious oil. What a spectacular show!
The gentle and delicate fragrance of herbs and fresh flowers attract me to enter the production area. The further I go, the more intense and opulent the smell becomes. Amazing! I did not know that olive oil could have such an outrageously good smell. I can’t wait to taste the delicious oil.
Not even 2 hours have gone by since the harvesting of the olives, the careful processing and the bottling of the cold pressed oil. “Freshly squeezed olive juice” is how Tiffany likes to call the exquisite product. For AUBOCASSA, it is capital to preserve the maximum potential of the fruit. I’m impressed! It’s no wonder that the award-winning AUBOCASSA oil is one of the best!
THE WISHING TABLE – A PICNIC LIKE A FAIRYTALE
“The best is still to come”, Tiffany tells me smiling while taking me back to the field. What I can see there leaves me speechless. With wide-open eyes, I admire the beautiful white table in the middle of olive trees, set with much love by the AUBOCASSA team. Deliciously decorated with regional specialties. An authentic party! Coca Majorquin, Pa’amb oli’s, Mahón spicy cheese, fresh salads, delicious grilled delights, sweets and traditional Majorcan Ensaimadas: everything is served with much love and attention! Of course, the RODA wine from La Rioja is not to be missed. Although the star of the day remains: the olive oil AUBOCASSA! ;-)
OLIVE OIL TASTING AT ITS FINEST
From the tree directly harvested and freshly pressed in front of us: finally, I take the glass to my lips for a taste; I see in the distance, meadows of wildflowers and juicy green herbs. I close my eyes and smell fruits, both intense and spicy. A delicate smell of pistachios and tomatoes bathed in the sun, a taste of herbal flavor, could it be…some almonds? A soft flavor of nuts, kind of sweet. The texture flows and changes, I finally taste a slightly spicier flavor. I open my eyes. What remains is a pleasant and balanced taste in which the four seasons seem reflected.
Happy and smiling I head back home. In my luggage not only do I carry good impressions and a new story for my blog, but also some bottles of the excellent elixir. I know for sure I will always be reminded of this day! It was truly unforgettable!
The next time you’re in Mallorca, be sure to book a visit at the Finca AUBOCASSA, which includes a tasting of olive oil and wine, and a picnic in the middle of beautiful olive groves. For reservations: Phone +34 971 100 388, visit@aubocassa.com or contact@aubocassa.com.
Warm regards,
Silke von Rolbiezki
WHERE TO PURCHASE AUBOCASSA OLIVE OIL?
You can buy the fine oil of AUBOCASSA in Delicatessen stores selected in 28 countries and, of course, in Finca Aubocassa, Camí de Son Fangos s / n, 07500 Manacor, Mallorca, Phone: +34 971 100 388, visit@aubocassa.com.
FOLLOW AUBOCASSA O INSTAGRAM
For more delicious inspiration follow AUBOCASSA on Instagram.
This article is a colaboration between Silke von Rolbiezki and Martha Najderek.
Silke von Rolbiezki is a hairdresser, hair stylist, and owner of ‘Silke von Rolbiezki Coiffure’ in Palma de Mallorca. She has been involved and connected for more than 20 years in the high-end hairdressing industry. She has perfected her skills over time with top hair stylists in Germany and Spain. In addition to cutting and styling, Silke is very well known for her extensive expertise in hair coloring.
Text: © Silke von Rolbiezki Coiffure, 2018
Photography: All Pictures by ©: Soravit Lertphiphat
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