Texas Olive Oil - The New Oil

[Dover]

That's right Popeye! Check it out!


Texas olive industry branches out to meet growing demand

The Texas Department of Agriculture reports the Lone Star State’s olive industry is poised for unprecedented growth in 2008, thanks to advances in olive tree production and an increased demand for olive oil. The industry was first established in 1994 with roughly 20,000 trees on four orchards. Today, the number of olive trees has grown to 97,000 with plans for another 25,000 plantings this fall.

“The Texas olive industry holds a great deal of promise for consumers and our economy,” said Commissioner Todd Staples. “As Texans look for healthier foods and ways to improve their eating habits, olive oil is becoming a key ingredient to their diets. Our state’s olive growers have demonstrated a commitment to growing their businesses and our economy, and the numbers speak for themselves. We look forward to the future prosperity of the expanding Texas olive industry.”

Last year, 2,000 gallons of 100 percent Texas olive oil were pressed and bottled. The projection for 2008 is much better. The yield is estimated to be 250 tons of Texas olives, contributing to 7,500 gallons of olive oil.

Jim Henry is the founder of the Texas Olive Oil Council and says the state’s emerging olive industry stands to play a role in meeting a growing worldwide demand.

“The United States produces less than one percent of the world’s olive supply, but we consume 20 percent of the oil. Demand is increasing by more than 30 percent worldwide each year,” Henry said. “Texas producers are watching this trend and plan to capitalize on it. My projections are half a million olive trees will be growing in Texas by 2010.”

The USDA has been conducting research to determine the best growing practices and best varieties for Texas. Olive varieties that have been most successful in the state include the Arbquina, Arbasana and Korneiki.

http://www.olives101.com/2008/03/12/texas-olive-industry-branches-out-to-meet-growing-demand/

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Artcle: Pressed For Success
http://www.texas-ec.org/texascooppower/current_month/system/feature1.aspx


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Texas Olive Oil Council
http://www.texasoliveoilcouncil.org/

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A couple of growers and products:

First Texas Olive Oil Company
http://www.texasoliveoil.com/

Sandy Oaks Olive Orchard
http://www.sandyoaks.com

[TexasLady]

1. wow, awesome to know this!

I remember Greece being very a similiar climate as Texas. I am an olive, and olive oil nut!
Glad to hear it!

[Dover]

2. Yes, it does seem very similar to Greece, without the sea breezes.

You should be able to find it at HEB, Central Market, and other well stocked grocery stores.

I want to grow some olive trees so will be doing some homework. Not for business. Just the
dinner table.

[Dover]

6. Locations/climates for effective olive tree growth

http://www.texasoliveoilcouncil.org/info/info_thermal_adaptability_olive_pg1.htm

[spag68]

3. 2000 gallons is a joke

The Italians in Brooklyn use ten times that in a year. California harvests hundreds of thousands of gallons a year, who the hell are these people kidding? Have any of you ever been to greese or texas? most of Texas is a dust bowl with some swampy coastline except for South Padre Island, and the citruss regeon.

[Dover]

4. Hey there Mr. Sunshine

Ya gotta start somewhere. I'm sure California's business had to grow too.
It's just fantastic to know that olives will grow here!
Can you say the same in Brooklyn?

[spag68]

5. You would be surprised

at what some enterprising people grow in Brooklyn. My mother-in-law has a stamp sized back yard, with tomatoes, peppers lettuce, squash many spices,and a fig tree. Still has the touch at 96. on edit Don't me wrong, my brother lives in Ft. Worth, and has it pretty nice. MY point was olive oil is never going to make any difference in the Texas economy any time soon.

[Dover]

7. Yes, I've lived in Brooklyn and was always amazed at what could be

grown in the smallest of yards. Love Brooklyn!

As far as it not affecting the Tx. economy anytime soon...I seem to recall similar
statements made about Tx. wine and it's doing quite well. But it won't be overnight.
Nothing worthwhile is...lol!

[hippywife]

13. But it does make a difference

for people who are trying to eat as locally as possible, which we are. We still buy olive oil because there's really no substitute for it but it's one of the few things we do still buy that isn't local. I would hate to give it up altogether but with the average food item having logging 1500 mi. from origin to plate, every little bit helps.

I think this is a wonderful boon for the locavores of Tejas! Congrats, y'all! :hi:

[newfie11]

8. East texas is far from a dust bowl

[Dover]

11. Yes, I don't think he's spent much time in Texas. Some areas of West Texas are the only

parts that might be considered a 'dust bowl'. The Texas hill country is kind of like the Umbrian region of central Italy though more rolling than mountainous. And east Texas gets quite enough rain to make it down right tropical in feel...not to mention the humidity. Very lush. Then there are the pine forests, and I could go on and on because it's a BIG state with lots of different eco-regions.

[Dover]

12. oops..dupe.

[kestrel91316]

10. It's Greece", not "greese". But you know everything, so you knew that, right?

[kestrel91316]

9. Memo to TX:

DON'T water the trees once they're established, dammit. More ain't better.

In France they stay real small, easy for harvesting by hand, and don't get anything but rainfall (and not much of that).