By Karen McBride
Fresh Pressed Organic Olive Oil
You do not have to go all the way to Italy to enjoy fresh pressed olive oil. Among the rolling hills of Brooksville lies The Olive Grove. The 4-acre orchard was inspired by a trip to Italy 13 years ago. Upon their return, Deirdre and Cambren Davis were motivated to plant the grove that has grown to 300 trees and 9 varieties that include arbequina, manzanilla and arbosana (Spanish varieties), the koroneiki (Greek variety), coratina and frantoio (Italian varieties) and the chiquitita, (a cross between the arbequina and picual olive trees).
The Olive Grove uses no herbicides or pesticides, and the olives are harvested by hand. They produce and sell fresh-pressed extra virgin olive oil, cured and stuffed olives, raw olives, olive leaf tea, olive leaf powder, Castile olive oil soap, olive wood, and a variety of other olive products.
Uses for Olive Oil and Olive Leaf Tea
At the recent festival, we discovered some fascinating facts about olive oil:
- Olive oil should be stored in dark glass containers rather than plastic.
- Unfiltered oil can spoil over time, so it’s best kept in a dark, cool place.
- Olives come in various colors as they ripen, starting from green to red, then purple, and finally turning black.
Olive leaf tea is a popular offering in their farm store. Olive oil has been utilized since ancient times for medicinal purposes and skin care. It is known to lower blood pressure, enhance immune function, and serve as an antibacterial agent against infections.
Additionally, olive leaf extract has been shown to effectively treat shingles, eczema, acne, rashes, poison ivy, and various other skin conditions. Oftentimes people use olive oil for hair treatment therapy to add that extra shine and luster to their locks.
The Perfect Place for Parties, Events and Weddings
The Olive Grove makes a perfect backdrop for your next party, event, family gathering, or wedding. You can plan your own wedding or have the team take care of all the details, including the onsite notary to perform the service. Twenty picnic tables are set in the orchard and decorated with white linens, table pieces, lights, and olive branches. Brides and grooms can choose a Tuscan or Farm Style. There is ample space for the buffet table, DJ or band and the dance floor.
Visit the Olive Grove Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 10am – 5pm and weekdays by appointment. Private tours, class trips, homeschool groups, parties, events, weddings & gatherings. It is located at 15016 Rester Dr., Brooksville, FL 34613. Call 352-345-5940 or visit https://www.floridaconcerts.org for more information. Be sure to check out the events page to see what’s happening this fall!