Signature olive oil: the Olea Soul project

Olive oil has become a gourmet product linked to health, culture and tradition. As with wine, finding out about the culture of olive oil means understanding the landscape and its people.

Olive oil tourism is on the increase in Catalonia and they know all about it in the Segrià region. Oil has always been associated with the kitchen and now it goes one step further, as its producers reveal its hidden facets. The people behind this initiative are those at Olea Soul—Ariadna, Anna and Ignasi—who have a mission: to raise the international profile of signature olive oil producers. They want to show visitors the specific features of the product and how olive groves and private mills are being established all the time.

Tastings, olive oil soaps, mills and olive groves

One of the visits you could choose is to the Aresté Teixido Mill in Seròs. Pick up a piece of bread, close your eyes and begin to taste an exquisite olive oil. But your taste buds aren’t everything, because you will need to open your eyes wide to learn all the details in the workshop on making soap with olive oil. In October, when the olive harvest starts, the mills operate at full capacity.

Another interesting project is the one at the Simbionatur Mill in Sarroca de Lleida. It involves production based on organic and biodynamic agriculture, according to a number of traditional principles. They produce 100% Arbequina extra virgin olive oil which you can taste for yourself, and you can also visit their workshops on cosmetics and health. You’ll head for home with a healthier complexion.

As you know, harvest time is from October onwards. Weekends are for olive oil tourism itineraries and discovering the unique stories hidden in each mill. Don’t worry, once the harvest is over, you’ll always have the chance to see the olive trees flowering in the spring. A real spectacle.