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The morning hours are crisp, and the soft, rolling breeze is accom- panied by the strong, rich scent of olives. The time has come to har- vest - and Bellucci's farmers are steadfastly preparing to take to the trees. In order to produce the finest authentic Italian extra virgin olive oil, the olives must be harvested before the first frost. While the tim- ing of harvest is not an exact sci- ence, the quality of the olive oil produced depends on its preci- sion. In fact, the taste, color, nutri- ent level, and overall vitality of extra virgin olive oil is drastically affected by when it is harvested. The trees are inspected to en- sure their olive fruits have reached the perfect level of maturity. Firm, bright green fruits produce a ver- dant, grassy flavor with a strong bite and high antioxidant content. These fruits must undergo a longer milling process in order to extract the oil, which may have a bitter, pungent flavor profile. Soft, dark fruits produce copious amounts of yellow-gold oil. This oil is sweet and fruity with a mel- low flavor profile - though it has reduced amounts of chlorophyll and beneficial polyphenols. The ideal olive is found be- tween these two stages, in the ve- raison phase. Veraison is a term borrowed from French viticulture, which refers to the change of color found in ripening grapes. In olives, this appears as a yellow- green softening of the fruit, touched by the first blush of red or purple. Veraison fruits are the peak of perfection, and will pro- duce an ample quantity of rich, verdant gold oil; dense in nutri- ents, and with a well-rounded fla- vor profile. Bellucci's collective of inde- pendent farmers all hold a strong commitment to stewarding their family land. The groves in which their olives are grown are largely tended by hand, and the process of harvest is no exception. Trees are carefully raked with handheld branch combs, the fruits caught by nets arranged beneath their branches before being gathered and poured into crates for transport. The crates are carefully la- belled, entered into the Bellucci traceability system, and then transported to the millhouse, where the olives will be washed, pressed, ground, and spun in a centrifuge. After this journey, it will undergo rigorous testing and ver- ification before it can be labelled as extra virgin olive oil. It will then receive the mark of Bureau Veri- tas, which certifies its purity, au- thenticity, and place of origin, before undergoing the journey to the shelves of grocers every- where. Second only to the perfect tim- ing of harvest is Bellucci's dedica- tion to ensuring freshness and purity. This means seeing that the olives are pressed into oil within hours of harvest, and that each bottle of Bel- lucci is transported from tree to table with the utmost care. This dedication has landed Bellucci at the fore- front of the extra virgin olive oil industry when it comes to matters of traceability and trans- parency. The company's Trust Through Traceability program supplies each bottle with a unique code which allows consumers to trace it back to source, increasing visibility and trust. A new partnership with tech leader Oracle is helping them take traceability to a whole new level, bringing even deeper insight into the production of authentic extra virgin olive oil. The additional de- velopment will allow blockchain technology to create an unalter- able ledger which documents each step of the journey between grove and grocer. Bellucci Premium www.belluccipremium.com Bellucci EVOO: Harvesting Excellence FEATURED PRODUCTS www.gourmetnews.com 6 2019 BUYERS GUIDE • Gourmet News The Kalamata Region of Greece is famous for its figs along with the Kalamata olives and extra virgin olive oil. Ariston has originated from that area and has taken ad- vantage of this to bring extra virgin olive oil, olives and fig preserves to the market. Excellent quality and attractive pricing make it a fit for every cheese shop. Ariston Fig Pre- serves pairs with cream cheese for a breakfast spread, and also pairs well with brie, mascarpone or mozzarella. Ariston Fig Preserves can also be used as a marinade for meats, especially pork. U n l i k e s o m e o t h e r s , Ariston's Fig Pre- serves is not made with a block of frozen fruit. This preserve is made with 100 percent Greek fresh fruit in season. Ariston Specialties 860.263.8498 www.aristonspecialties.com Ariston Fig Preserves Primeware wine accessories have been around for more than two decades now. As years passed, the company keeps innovating to pro- vide new and ex- citing products that consumers will love. This Natural Cork Insulated Drink Purse is no exception. It is made from natural, sustainable and eco-friendly material. It is both fashionable and functional and features a 3-liter bladder, enough to hold up to four bottles of wine. It has a dispenser with an easy-pour side spout so drinks can be poured without spills. This drink purse is a perfect way to let consumers enjoy their favorite drink whenever, wherever. With its party-ready de- sign, it can defi- nitely be used for tailgate, parties, picnics, barbe- cues, camping, the beach or girls night out. Who wouldn't love that? A perfect gift for a wine con- noisseur, this drink purse will at- tract both women and men and anyone who loves wine. Primeware Inc 800.669.5628 www.primewareinc.com Primeware's Drink Purse Holds Three Liters MarDona Specialty Foods, Ltd.'s Spicy Spinach Dip is a blend of spinach, some artichoke and spices, all blended to- gether to make a great spicy dip (low calorie and healthy, too). Use it straight from the jar, mix with pasta, or for a real dip treat, mix with Velveeta Cheese to make a Cheesy and Spicy Spinach dip. For a cooler taste in dip, blend with sour cream to make a cold spicy dip. MarDona Spicy Spinach Dip is a great additive to a macaroni and cheese dish for Spicy Spinach Mac & Cheese. The recipe is on the MarDona Spe- cialty Foods website. MarDona Specialty Foods 855.645.7772 www.mardonaspecialtyfoods.com MarDona Spicy Spinach Dip Medallion Premium Coffee from White Coffee White Coffee's Medallion Premium Coffee line is now available in 10- ounce premium packaging, 6- o u n c e r e s e a l a b l e tins and 42- count single- serve boxes. The Medal- lion line fea- tures unique coffees from around the world, encompassing full body with balanced acidity. While there are both conventional and certified organic op- tions available, all offer smooth and flavorful notes infused in every cup. White Coffee 800.221.0140 www.whitecoffee.com