TUSCANY-ITALY- TUSCAN OLIVE OIL WHY IS ONE OF THE BEST ABOUT QUALITY IN THE WORLD - AN EDUCATIONAL TOUR OPERATOR EXPERIENCE IN TUSCANY.

During my years in the tourism industry I participated to several Tour Operators  educational  of various kind, touching different products, all very interesting, because they increase your knowledge and skills and there is always something to learn.One of educationals that today I would like to mention is an Educational about Olive Oil in beautiful Tuscany,probably one of the best of olive oil in the world for quality,taste, and digestive coefficients of preparation.

We have to start from the history of olive oil in Tuscany dating back to the 7th century BC, we are not talking about growth of olive tree we are talking about cultivation and we realise then that this tradition has olive oil is so ancient cultivating and producing olives generating one of the most loved liquid in the world used to maintain a very healthy Mediterranean diet keeping our cholesterol and antioxidants very healthy and our body responsive and well balanced.

This long history of cultivation of olive trees in Tuscany has generated particular progress in the development of the olive oil industry,tested with restaurateurs,maitres, chefs, experts and is always present in the preparation and in the best catering organisations around the world.

Firstly, in Tuscany there are different types of olives, from province to province, Siena, Florence, Lucca, Massa Carrara, Pistoia, Arezzo, Pisa, Livorno, Grosseto and Prato, all parts of this Italian region are very suitable for producing an olive oil of high quality.Naturally this happens for the weather conditions, the micro-climate that not all areas Italian and worldwide areas have,we know that the olive tree does not sprout in cold temperatures, does not flourish, it does not  grow and dies in a very short time, we also know that in temperatures that are too hot is not  ideal, the best geographical area is the Mediterranean generating several kind of oils with difference in colour, thickness and flavor.

An olive oil from Apulia, Sicily, Calabria, Spain, Portugal, Morocco can be of high quality but temperatures change the aroma and flavor are important indexes for the thickness and density of the oil.They are olive oils very good but also very strong, so at times especially in the "nouvelle cuisine"or in the most trendy catering institutions,the experts want to choose the best olive oil..

An Andalusian olive oil such a strong flavor can be used very well on "tostadas" or on fish, olive oil, or Apulian,Sicilian the same.The Tuscan for its flavor and taste is easy to use in the whole,salad,meat, fish, pasta sauces,then if you know the famous and delicious "Bruschetta Tuscan "you will understand why choosing Tuscan olive oil is the best.Mixing the flavors of different ingredients as toasted bread,tomato, spices and anything else that you want to put there,the same in the mixed salads with the Tuscan olive oil the flavour of the other ingredients does not disappear.There is an olive oil is similar for high quality,the olive oil from Lake Garda but it is more expensive,because the reduced production.

The Tuscan climate is ideal for the cultivation of the olive,it has temperatures of Mediterranean character that makes it so fertile territory for proper production of olives, not too cold in winter, the season when the olive tree stands quietly at temperatures although fall, spring, summer and autumn in Tuscany are the perfect seasons for the growth of this plant and to keep it in health.The Tuscan olive is not too much hard,juicy and with a splendid colour every time.

There are countless species of olives in Tuscany, some I remember are those of Frantoio, Larcianese, Rossellino, Leccione, Melaiolo, Bunch, Impruneta, Correggiolo, Montalbano Seggianese, Tondello, Cherry, Moraiolo, Olive and many others, I think there are more of  200 types of olives in Tuscany, probably a Guiness World Record and all with their own identity.

Olive oil production also generates,olive oils of different colours, from yellow to green,dark yellow to light green, olive green and always of high quality. The famous Consortium for Extra Virgin Olive Oil IGP Toscano has recently classified its assets in more than 7 million olive trees.

The Educational I participated was based in Florence, then we went one day to the Province of Lucca and visiting the area of Lunigiana, the hills of Pistoia, Pescia and towards Larciano, another day in "Siena" Val'd'Orcia and Valdi Chiana, another in the area Impruneta,Florence Hills until the Province of Arezzo and and so on.

Aside from the beautiful and unique landscapes of Tuscany, there was also time for cultural visits to historical and cultural visits well organised with time and enjoying Florence, Siena, Pisa, Lucca, Arezzo and other great locations .

This kind of educational,is also where you learn about the culture of an area,the job of the traders and the industry, for what is offered on the market and levels of quality, these TT.OO educational serve then to propose  to associations of Maitres, Restaurants, Chefs,Agricultural Engineer and so on.

Educational give you an idea then it is your creativity with your imagination departing from Florence or Pisa and touching different geographical areas to create attractive itineraries.


You can make a lot of fam trips and educational in Tuscany (and not only in Tuscany, including Umbria, Marche, Emilia Romagna, Veneto, Sicily, Calabria, Puglia, Piemonte, Lombardy and Italy all what you want you can) beautiful land of art and history, but not only.

Francesco Mari


 www.turismo.intoscana.it
 www.regione.toscana.it
 www.oliotoscanoigp.it