The mountain olive harvest
The timing is crucial when it comes to harvesting olives. The degree of ripeness predominantly determines the quality and also
the amount of oil extracted from the fruits. In general, olives are said to be ready to be harvested, when their colour changes
from green to purple. Depending on the kind and location of the trees, this point in time comes between October and February.
When exactly the harvest begins, only the olive farmers know.
In most regions, especially on steep hills such as in Sóller, the olives are still harvested by hand. In contrast, for example on the plains, the farmers use machines that shake the olives from the trees or nets that collect the fruits. In Sóller, the harvest is different - the olive farmers wait until the fruits fall from the trees by themselves. Nevertheless, collecting the fruits by hand is no longer common. Usually, machines looking like hand carts pick up the olives. Once the ripe fruits have been collected, they have to be processed as quickly as possible.
In most regions, especially on steep hills such as in Sóller, the olives are still harvested by hand. In contrast, for example on the plains, the farmers use machines that shake the olives from the trees or nets that collect the fruits. In Sóller, the harvest is different - the olive farmers wait until the fruits fall from the trees by themselves. Nevertheless, collecting the fruits by hand is no longer common. Usually, machines looking like hand carts pick up the olives. Once the ripe fruits have been collected, they have to be processed as quickly as possible.
Sóller
Sóller - the mountain village The mountain olive harvest The production process The Tafona (Olive oil mill) of Can Det
