How about an Olive Oil Tour?

Looking for a fun and relaxing day trip that's not too far outside of all the traffic and yet a world away from all the hustle & bustle of Los Angeles. Well this "Shangri-La" happens to be Ojai, California.

Ojai is a sleepy little town that is wedged inland between Ventura and Santa Barbara and notably appeared as the mythical Shangri-La in Frank Capra’s 1937 film “Lost Horizon”.

Definitely a magnet for anyone looking for a slice of yesteryear; Where all chain stores (other than a few gas stations) are even prohibited by Ojai city law to encourage local small business development and keep the town unique.
Quite a brilliant and such a wonderful thing! And something that I feel more cities should incorporate!

There are things to do such as hiking, biking, horseback riding, golfing, wine tasting, gallery hopping, or my favorite was taking an Olive Oil tour...
I was so excited to find out about The Ojai Olive Oil Company and once there had learned so much about the tiny little fruit! (YES it's a fruit!)

Here are some of the fascinating things that we learned on this tour:

• Each of the trees here are 135-165 years old.
• Olive trees were brought to USA in 1770 by the Spaniards. (Thank you!)

• The current owners of this property purchased it in 1997 and they grow olives that range from mild to stronger in flavor, having 2 French varieties, 3 Italian varieties, and 3 Spanish. Totaling 120 trees at this vineyard.

• California has been milling olives since 1985 - 30 years of milling. 
• Only 3% of what's produced in the USA
• There are 700 varieties of Olives
• The average American only consumes 1 liter of Olive Oil per year. 
• There was a recent study in Spain that concluded that consuming
  1/4 cup per day reduces the chances of getting Alzheimer's by 40%.
• ​A 1 year tree will already begin producing fruit!
  
  

What makes Olive Oil pricey? 
The 2 most expensive things in the production process are - pruning & picking (by hand)

• Olive Trees have been around for 2,500 years old & produce for 1,000 of those years!

• The trees alternate bearing at 50% lower than the high year.
• Once a year of flowering, once a year of fruiting.
• Filled to the top of the basket is 60lbs and yet only produces 1 gallon of oil.
• From the time of bud it takes 6 months for the olive to grow.
• Green olives - are not ripened and cured.
• Sometimes it's necessary to pick early based on the weather.
• Olives turn a rainbow of colors before becoming ripe - green - pink - blue - purple - etc

• One night of frost will ruin the entire process.

They even sell Olive Oil soap!

Overall, we had a great time and ended the tour with sampling fresh pressed Olive Oil and imported Balsamic in the tasting room. Boy have I have always loved this wonderfully yummy combo!

So in case you are in or around LA and you want to get away - head on up to Ojai and check out The Ojai Olive Oil Company! Don't forget to tell them that Tanya from Travelin' Cousins sent you :)