The Feast of olives and olive oil

The province of Jaen is known worldwide as the cradle of the best olive oil in Andalusia and throughout Spain. Its olive trees provide half of the total olive oil production in Spain and 20% of the world. These data are fascinating when you consider that olive plantations occupy 55,000 hectares and produce 600,000 tons of "liquid gold" per year.

The olive harvest takes place from November to February, which leads to a decrease in the unemployment rate in the province of Jaen to 10%. This drop is due to the fact that, despite the use of machines, a significant part of the harvest is still harvested by hand to preserve the quality of olives. In November, the harvest festival also takes place.

It is the largest olive and olive oil festival in Europe. Every autumn, the Spanish town of Baena in Andalusia hosts the festival of olives and olive oil Las Jornadas del Olivar y el Aceite. Thus, everyone here is celebrating the end of the harvest in the olive groves. It has been held for 30 years, from November 9 to 11.

This festival is not only festive, but also informative. Here they try to highlight all aspects of the possible use of olives and olive oil, as well as to remind you what importance this plant has for the whole world as a whole and for each individual. Therefore, the Olive Festival in Spain is organized on a special scale. Attention is paid to all areas of life associated with this magical product: gastronomy, economics, health. First of all, everyone can try local delicious dishes, learn national recipes of dishes with olives, find out what is being prepared from them.

Although the program of the festival is slightly modified every year, however, the main event of the "olive" holiday remains unchanged – Ruta de la Tapa. The best restaurants, cafes and bars of the city take part. Each establishment has a special promo menu of special tapas, all using olives. The most persistent person who visits all the establishments in one evening will receive a prize – 50 liters of selected olive oil and lunch for two in a restaurant that will be recognized as the best "olive" place at this festival.