3 months ago
DAVIS, CA - In the state famous for its wins, another crop is now on the verge of making a name for itself. Olive growers are producing more olive oil than ever with hopes of satisfying Americans' growing appetite for it.
For the first time, production of olive oil in California is expected to exceed one million gallons, but with Americans consuming 75 million gallons a year, experts believe the market is wide open.
"In 10 years, I would say that we'll be producing probably 15 to 20 percent of what we consume here in the U.S. And in 20 years, we'll likely be one of the top producers in the world," said Dan Flynn, Executive Director of the UC Davis Olive Center.
Flynn credits high density planting on trellis systems as the key to the rapid growth of olive orchards in the state. There are currently 22,000 acres of olives planted in California.
Flynn added that buying local olive oil also means you're buying fresh.
"We do get some very good European oils here, but there's some oil that might be cheaply priced in the supermarket and it might not be extra virgin olive oil," he said. Flynn added that the U.S. does not enforce olive oil grade standards of imported oil.
Flynn said that people should look for three qualities in olive oil: fruitiness, bitterness and pungency. "Pungency you feel in the back of your throat, it's kind of a spicy sensation," he said.
News10/KXTV
