Morisca olive tree, is a fairly widespread variety in Spain, although its characteristics against diseases are limited, it adapts well to drought.
In Spain, the most important plantations are found in southern Badajoz and northern Seville. Outside of Spain, it has an important presence in Alentejo (region of southern Portugal adjacent to Badajoz and northwest Huelva).
Curiosities: The name Morisca is due to the origin of the variety. It is believed that the variety was introduced during the Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula. The presence of the Morisca variety in Spain dates back to the 11th century, so it has an ancient presence on the peninsula. In some places they confuse it with the olive tree Verdial de Badajoz.
Names or synonyms: The Morisca olive tree is also known by the names: Cordovìl, Cañaval Negro, Canned Elvas (Portugal), of Pico, Cornezuelo, Enough, Cañaval Blanco, Churro, Fat, Male and Verdial.
Morisca Olive Tree: General characteristics
The Morisca olive has traditionally been appreciated for the large size of its olives. Although until recently the variety was being replaced by Manzanilla Sevillana (more profitable for dressing), today the excellent Valuation of olive oil from early harvest Morisca, are helping to preserve it.
Productivity: Moorish Olive variety is medium production input and medium productivity.
Regularity of bearing: Morisca olive variety is of alternating production (vecera).
Flowering: Moorish Olive tree has middle ages of flowering. The variety is considered self-incompatible. Requires cross pollination to curdle. Ovarian abortion is high.
Vigor and bearing of the tree: the Morisca olive tree has medium vigor, is upright and has a thick crown density. It prefers balanced and periodic pruning to severe pruning.
Leaf: Basta olive variety has the leaf of lanceolate, long and medium width.
Diseases: The Morisca olive variety is drought resistant, an aspect that makes it suitable as a rootstock in dry areas. It adapts well to poor land, which is why it is considered a rustic olive variety. Is very sensitive to repilo and tuberculosis and is affected by the leprosy and the fly attacks.
Multiplication: The Morisca plant has a medium rooting capacity (by semi-woody staked ).
Morisca olive, morphological characteristics
Morisca olives have a very large size and high fat yield.
Although its productivity is lower than other table olives (Manzanilla Sevillana, Verdial de Badajoz, Hojiblanca…) and oil production (Picual, Arbequina, Cornicabra…), It produces one of the highest quality Spanish oils.
Ripening: Olives produced by the Morisca olive tree are ripening medium.
Size: Morisca olives are appreciated for having a very large size (it can exceed 7 grams).
Shape: the variety of Morisca olives is ovoidal and asymmetric, with the presence of nipple.
Skin color: Morisca olives reach a bright black color when ripe. Abundant and small lenticels can be observed.
Pulp: It has a good pulp / bone ratio and is appreciated as a table olive for its easy dressing.
Yield: Olive’s olive production is high fat yield (22%).
Collection: The Morisca variety has high resistance to detachment, its collection being difficult despite its large size.
Uses: The Morisca olive tree is a variety of double aptitude, although it does not stand out in terms of production capacity is a variety very suitable for poor and dry land.
Advantages: Very well valued olive oil, the olives yield is high, high resistance to drought
Disadvantages: Sensitive to disease attack.
Morisca Extra Virgin Olive Oil
The Morisca Extra Virgin Olive Oil from early collection , stands out for its organoleptic characteristics over other olive oils.
Taste: medium-high fruity and fluid in the mouth, Morisca olive oil is slightly sweet, with little bitterness and spicy balanced. Among the aromas, the smell of flowers, apple, green fruits and olive leaf stand out.
Properties: Morisca olive oil has a low amount of oleic acid (64%), has a high amount of linoleic acid (15%) and low presence of Polyphenols. The oil is of medium-low stability.
Price: Morisca Extra Virgin Olive Oil can reach Spain for interesting prices of € 10-20 / liter.
Recommended reading
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Warning
We have translated the information on our website from Spanish to English. Note that some words may have seen their meaning altered during their translation.