The Guide To Extra Virgin Olive Oil In South Africa

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The Guide To Extra Virgin Olive Oil In South Africa

Like wine, Extra Virgin Olive Oil is influenced by cultivar, terroir, climate and the maker.

South Africa produces some of the best Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) in the world and the Guide to Extra Virgin Olive Oil in SA (EVOOSA) is aimed at promoting these oils to consumers and culinary professionals as the first and best choice. South Africa is producing some of the best quality Extra Virgin Olive Oils in the world and this guide is aimed at promoting these oils to consumers as the first and best choice for reasons of health, quality, taste and variety. It is a gift of nature that needs to be nurtured in the groves and through the process of harvesting, extraction and storage. This makes it so much more than a commodity, it is a product of passion. Our producers are fighting a battle against an inferior option - imported olive oil that is much cheaper and often of a far lower quality. Buy local, get the best there is and discover the amazing world of Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

29/09/2026

Established in 1833, Kransfontein is an amalgamation of four adjacent farms, three of which were owned by the celebrated author Wilbur Smith who wrote many of his first novels here. In 2000, Adv Altus Joubert SC bought the farms, planted 10,000 olive trees and with the help of Prof. Ben Farrell, doyen of SA landscape architecture, transformed the farms into a place of tranquility and beauty. During the past few years an additional 10,000 trees were planted. Conditions are perfect for growing olives. Besides olive oil and table olives, the farm produces olive preserves, chutneys, olive spices and soap products made from award winning olive oil.

Find out more about Kransfontein and other South African olive oils at www.EVOOSA.co.za. 🇿🇦 💚

28/09/2026

What a weekend at the Swartland Olive Fest!! 🫒

Great food, passionate producers, great music and a Friday night dance floor that really came alive.

A big thank you to everyone who stopped by the EVOOSA stand, chatted with us and shared in the celebration of South African olives and olive oil.

Here’s a little look back at the weekend.

22/09/2026

Report from the field: Morocco 🇲🇦

Travelling between Meknes and Fes to the ancient Roman ruins of Volubilis is a delight. Olive groves sweep across the valleys and stretch to every horizon.

At Volubilis, a 400-year-old olive tree is still producing fruit, while across the region the trees are laden with olives and producers are preparing for the harvest, which begins in October.

A roadside olive oil tasting, accompanied by traditional homemade bread, was a simple but memorable treat.

- Glynis van Rooyen, Director of EVOOSA

When she’s not championing South African olive oil, Glynis also shares her love of food, culture and travel through SunSwept Tours, leading tailor-made journeys and Taste Tours in South Africa and further afield.

Discover more at sunswept.co.za.

17/09/2026

A celebration of excellence in South African olive oil.

The 2026 SA Olive Awards took place on 15 September at Grande Roche in Paarl, bringing together producers and industry leaders to celebrate some of South Africa’s finest extra virgin olive oils.

Congratulations to all this year’s winners and participants.

07/09/2026

Lamara forms part of Two Rivers, a historic farmland dating back to the 1850’s, situated in the Dwars River Valley gateway into Franschhoek.

JM de Buck and Sylva Mannens, Belgium-based entrepreneurs, fell in love with South Africa and in 2015 they bought part of Two Rivers and Lamara was born. Their vision is to develop the land to its full potential and restore it to its historical glory.

Today Lamara achieves ecological, sustainable and social mindfulness farming through the variety of seasonal crops grown; olives, lemons, lavender and rosemary.

Find out more about Lamara and other South African olive oils at www.EVOOSA.co.za. 🇿🇦

26/08/2026

When extreme cold swept across South Africa a few weeks ago, it brought a rare and breathtaking sight to the Swartberg mountains: a stunning blanket of snow across the De Rustica Olive Estate.

Beyond its remarkable beauty, this winter chill plays a vital role in the life of our olive groves. A touch of snow helps reduce the risk of damaging winds precisely during the olive trees’ delicate budding stage, allowing nature to gently guide the pace of the season to come.

20/08/2026

All Mardouw Olive Estate’s Extra Virgin Olive Oils are pure, natural oils made from olives grown and processed according to the highest quality and technology standards, consistently guaranteeing world class quality. Our consistency of producing superior premium EVOO has been acknowledged by receiving the highest local and international accolades the past 8 years. We have also been the most awarded SA producer the past 4 years and being rated no.31 by EVOO World Rankings.

Find out more about Mardouw and other South African olive oils at www.EVOOSA.co.za. 🇿🇦

06/08/2026

What is a green olive? Simply an olive that hasn't fully ripened. As olives mature, they change colour from green through shades of red, purple or dark brown, depending on the cultivar.

When producing extra virgin olive oil, growers harvest at different stages of ripeness to achieve the desired flavour profile. Earlier-harvest olives often contribute fresher, greener notes, while riper olives can bring softer, rounder flavours.

One thing colour doesn't tell you is quality. The colour of an olive oil can range from green to golden, depending on the olive variety and natural pigments, but it isn't a reliable indicator of flavour or excellence.

Discover South African olive oil producers at www.EVOOSA.co.za 🇿🇦💚

28/07/2026

Morgenster Estate founder, Giulio Bertrand, is considered the ‘Father of Olive Oil’ in South Africa as he paved the way for the local olive oil industry as we know it today. In 1994, he imported 17 superior Italian olive varieties, started a wonderful partnership with the Olive Oil Institute in Perugia and planted 42 hectares of olive trees on the farm’s rocky soils. The estate’s first Extra Virgin Olive Oils were released into the market in 1998. Morgenster is renowned for producing balanced, harmonious Extra Virgin Olive Oils with a rich fruity complexity.

Find out more about Morgenster and other South African olive oils at www.EVOOSA.co.za. 🇿🇦 💚

23/07/2026

Unlike wine, Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) doesn't improve with age.

Its vibrant flavour, aroma and natural antioxidants are at their peak soon after harvest, gradually diminishing over time. When buying EVOO, look for the harvest date on the bottle and choose the freshest oil you can.

In South Africa, olives are typically harvested between March and July, so local EVOO offers the opportunity to enjoy fresh, seasonal olive oil.

Store your EVOO in a tightly sealed container away from heat and light to preserve its quality.

Discover South African olive oil producers at www.EVOOSA.co.za.

Address

Hermanus
7200

Telephone

+27827758843

Website

http://www.evoosa.co.za/

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