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Ken Heupel, lecturer in Plant
Science, explaining the characteristics of Koroneiki, an olive
variety from Greece to William Thornton, a plant science major
student. |
The Gibson Farm Market at
California State University is introducing another student-produced food
item just in time for holiday enjoyment and giving: olive oil made from
Koroneiki variety fruit grown in campus orchards.
Customers can taste and buy the first and freshest olive oil of the
season – Olio Nuovo. This year’s is from Koroneiki olives, an ancient
variety native to the Greek island of Crete. It has been grown since
1500 B.C.E. and is known for its flavorful aroma and fresh
fruit-of-the-olive taste with hints of fruit, pepper and grass.
Koroneiki oil is recommended
for dipping, salad dressing or as a finishing oil. A limited quantity of
Koroneiki Olio Nuevo is available for sale at the Gibson Farm Market.
“This new oil, fresh from the press, has a short shelf life and should
be used within 30 to 60 days” said Ganesan Srinivasan, director of
Agricultural Operations at Fresno State.
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Koroneiki olives |
The first press of Koroneiki
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil is settling and being racking before going on
sale in early December in time for the holidays. Less than 25 gallons of
this special edition gourmet olive oil were extracted and it is expected
to sell out fast, said Srinivasan.
Farm market customers can currently buy the limited edition Olio Nuevo
and the extra-virgin Koroneiki in 8- or 16-ounce reusable glass bottles
at $1 per ounce.
Award-winning Fresno State Estate Reserve Extra-Virgin Olive Oil is
available for sale at $14.95 per 500 ml bottle and now can also be
purchased in bulk for 70 cents per ounce.
The 22-acre super high-density olive orchard at Fresno State utilizes
modified grape harvesters to mechanically harvest each crop, which is
pressed within 24 hours of harvesting. This year’s Koroneiki crop was
processed at Bozzano Olive Ranch in Stockton.
The olive-for-oil project is under the academic auspices of the Plant
Science Department in the College of Agricultural Sciences and
Technology at Fresno State. California Olive Ranch in Oroville has
partnered with Fresno State to provide the processing and bottling.
For more information about obtaining Olio Nuovo and the new Koroneiki
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, call the Farm Market at 559.278.4511. Store
hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 11
a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. The Gibson Farm Market will be closed with the rest
of the campus Thursday and Friday, Nov. 27-28.
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