Israel Romero / Friday, January 20, 2023 / Categories: Blog Do you prefer Picual or Arbequina? Picual or Arbequina January means that all the new harvests of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) are already on sale in Spain. One of our gastronomic flagships in our country that we deeply love at Made in Spain Gourmet. The true Liquid Gold. Of the more than 250 olive varieties found across Spain, two stand out: the picual and the arbequina. Can you tell them apart? Do you like both? Which one do you prefer? Here we give you some clues so you can recognize them the next time you taste our Picual and Arbequina EVOOs. Because when you know the nuances, you enjoy them much more. Arbequina Variety Picual Variety Arbequina Variety The Arbequina olive variety is native to Palestine. The Duke of Medinaceli, Baron of Arbeca (Lérida), introduced it to Spain in the mid-18th century after importing it from Palestine. For that reason its cultivation spread throughout Catalonia and also Aragón, where it is now most commonly found. The fruit is also smaller, reddish or somewhat violet in color depending on the stage of ripeness. The color of the EVOO from this variety is more yellowish than Picual, even when it is early-harvest. Among its characteristics, we can say it is a very fresh and young oil, more aromatic. With a sweeter taste and less pungency, its fruity flavor is much milder. Due to its composition, it is more delicate against oxidation. Therefore, you should store it in the dark and at a low-to-medium temperature. When using it in cooking, it is perfect for enhancing other flavors. Picual Variety For its part, the origin of the Picual variety is rather uncertain, albeit with nuances. What is known is that the town of Martos (Jaén) is where some of the oldest olive trees are found. It is most commonly found in Andalusia, specifically Jaén and Córdoba. With high productivity, its harvest is earlier. As a result, the liquid gold obtained is a greener color. Its shelf life at home is somewhat better, as it resists oxidation longer. From an organoleptic point of view, the olive oil produced from Picual olives offers an intense flavor. Full-bodied, with a certain touch of bitterness and a bit more pungency than the other variety. On the other hand, it has higher levels of oleic acid, polyphenols and also natural antioxidants. These nutrients make it an even healthier oil. Our Picual and Arbequina EVOO recommendations for 2023 Personalized guidance, a pleasure within everyone's reach. Sucralín can be used for baking — what about the other sweeteners? Print 4 Rate this article: No rating Tags: EVOOpremiumSpanish brandsMade in SpainMade in Spain GourmetMadeInSpainStorePicual Please login or register to post comments.