En Llàgrimes del Canigó, the flowering of olive trees marks the beginning of a fascinating and crucial process that culminates in the production of our appreciated extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). Located in Agullana, in the Alt Empordà region, our olive trees benefit from an exceptional environment: the breeze of the Mediterranean Sea and the pure water of the Pyrenees. This unique microclimate contributes to the superior quality of our oil, made from the exquisite Argudell variety.
A Family Legacy in Every Drop
Our history goes back generations. Our grandfather began pressing oil in his farm using an old stone mill. Today, we keep this tradition alive in Trull d'Agullana, producing an oil that preserves the nuances and properties of the Argudell variety. Each bottle of Llàgrimes del Canigó It is a tribute to our family heritage and the magical land of Empordà.
The Magic of Blooming
The flowering of the olive tree is a critical moment in the annual cycle of our trees. After careful pruning by our team in February and March, new shoots begin to appear at the end of April. Between May and June, the branches are filled with small buds that will bloom, giving rise to the precious olives.
These flowers are arranged in clusters composed of 10 to 40 flowers, depending on the variety of the olive tree. They have a whitish color with a yellow center, and are composed of four petals, a small calyx, a uniform corolla, two stamens and a blade formed by four lobes.
The Traveling Pollinator
A curious phenomenon of olive flowering is that pollen rarely fertilizes the flowers of the same variety or the same tree. This pollen can travel great distances, helping to cross varieties and ensure genetic diversity and strength of the species. In fact, it has been recorded that pollen from Spanish olive trees has reached the olive groves of North Africa and vice versa.
The Bloom Challenge
The flowering of the olive trees in the central weeks of May is critical for the future harvest. If the flowering is scarce, the harvest will also be scarce. High temperatures in May can cause flowers to wither before germinating and producing fruit. Besides, Only 2% of the total flowers complete the entire cycle, becoming olives. The tree performs natural selection, shedding some fruits to ensure that only those it can adequately feed grow.
Cultivating Excellence
En Llàgrimes del Canigó, we are dedicated to taking care of our olive trees with care. We control water stress and carry out the necessary tasks to guarantee the production of high-quality extra virgin olive oil. Every drop of our oil is the result of a process that begins with flowering, a period full of hope and promise for the next harvest.
The flowering of olive trees is not only a spectacle of nature; It is the first step in the creation of exquisite olive oil Llàgrimes del Canigó, a testament to our passion for excellence and our dedication to tradition.