Our Story
Introducing Olivar de Quesada, awarded gold medal for best tasting olive oil competing against top-selling international brands at the 2024 NYOOIC. We harvest a unique Extra Virgin Olive Oil thanks to our century-old olive trees in the mountains of Quesada, Spain. The hand-picked, Picual olives produce an oil that is rich in polyphenols with over 550 mg/kg, higher than conventional olive oils on the market, with less than 0.2% acidity.
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Read more about our Gold Medal Award here.
History
From Quesada to America
Olivar de Quesada is a cooperative owned by the farmers of the town of Quesada located in Sierra de Cazorla mountains in southern Spain. Their family run business creates a unique extra virgin olive oil harvested from century old olive trees that produce an olive oil rich in polyphenols, far higher than conventional olive oils found on the market.
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Because of the unique characteristics that these olives produce, it was clear that Olivar de Quesada needed to be shared on a larger scale, which is why it was brought overseas into the American market.
Our Town
In 1231, King Fernando III El Santo bestowed Quesada upon Rodrigo Jiménez de Rada, the Archbishop of Toledo, who successfully conquered the town with his forces, marking the inception of the Advancement of Cazorla. Situated on the border of the Nasrid kingdom of Granada, our town steadfastly defended these lands for over two centuries. Quesada stands as a testament to its combative spirit and rich historical legacy—a town that has played a significant role in the frontier history of the region.
Our River
Quesada, our town, serves as the birthplace of the Guadalquivir River, known to the Romans as Betis. The Roman province, La Bética, named after our river, held distinction as the primary
source of olive oil for the empire. We, as Olive Oil Producers of La Bética Aceitera, proudly carry the name of this ancient province, and our oil upholds its exceptional quality and legacy.
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The Olive Grove of Quesada, with over a million olive trees, is the largest in the Sierra de Cazorla's Protected Designation of Origin and one of the world's largest. It features the province of Jaén's most enchanting olive sea coastline.
Our People
Comprising our cooperative are 2300 dedicated farmers, exemplified by individuals like Adolfo, born in 1946 . Born into a shepherd' s life, Adolfo' s true calling became tending to olive groves. A lifetime spent laboring amidst sheep and olive trees, he continues to contribute with unwavering commitment. Remarkably robust, much like an ox, he dons his red Converse as he oversees a trailer laden with organic and green olives— a testament to his enduring dedication and the collective efforts of our cooperative.
The Trees
Much of the Olive Grove of Quesada is comprised o f centennial olive trees that grow on the slopes of the mountains and continue to be cultivated in a traditional manner, century after century, generation after generation. The age of these venerable trees, the clayey soils, and the
mountainous olive groves translate into olive oils with more intense aromas and a high level of polyphenols.
Picual Olives
The most important olive in the world and the main variety in Jaén, where more than 77 million olive trees thrive under their canopies. Ours, the Picual olives from Olivar de Quesada, yield an oil with an intense aroma of olive leaves and green almonds, an explosion of flavor in the mouth, and an exceptionally high antioxidant content, making it an unwavering ally in the defense of your health.
Facilities
The Cooperative has invested in a high-tech modern production facility capable of producing 300,000 bottles per day.
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-Cold press and 1st press
-Olives are picked, pressed and bottled within a 24-hr period to maximize polyphenol count
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Quality Controls
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As the harvest season draws near, our technicians meticulously assess the olives on the trees to ensure they reach optimal ripeness. Once the fruits reach their peak, the harvesting process commences.
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Our Commitment
Sustainable Farming:
Sustainable farming is a practice that aims to preserve the environment while producing food. It involves using techniques that minimize the negative impact on the land, water, and air. By adopting sustainable farming practices, we can ensure that generations will have access to healthy nutritious food.
Ethical Production:
Ethical production refers to the manufacturing of products in a way that is socially and environmentally responsible. This includes fair treatment of workers, sustainable use of resources, and minimizing negative impact on the environment. Ethical production is important for creating a better world and ensuring that businesses operate in a responsible and sustainable manner.