Blog
In our blogs you can read more about producing good organic extra virgin olive oil, about the region in which il circolo is literally rooted and everything that has to do with it, such as:
- The Sicilian culture – and more broadly the Mediterranean culture – which is inextricably linked to olive oil;
- The care for and maintenance of the centuries-old olive trees;
- The farmers of the region and their knowledge -built up over generations- on producing good quality olive oil;
- Local know-how and how to combine it with scientific insights on sustainability, and ultimately taking steps towards regenerative agriculture.
Above all, we enjoy good food and cooking. More specifically, we are inspired by the Mediterranean lifestyle that promotes eating fresh, healthy seasonal ingredients. We hope you also enjoy our delicious recipes that showcase il circolo olive oil.
Unveiling the Truth: Combating Olive Oil Fraud
In the tranquil groves where olives have thrived for centuries, a lesser-known challenge shadows the olive oil industry: fraud. This deceptive practice, ranging from mislabeling
All you need to know about olive oil competitions
Into our 6th year of producing organic extra virgin olive oil, we at il circolo are becoming more and more ambitious. Our aim is to
Herbs that grow wild in Sicily
If you take a walk in Sicily’s olive groves, specifically those smaller ones on the hillsides, you can find a lot of aromatic herbs. They
What types of olives are there?
In the olive groves of il circolo there are young and old olive trees of different varieties. It is not always easy to identify the
The Sicilian cuisine: What makes it so special?
For us the Sicilian cuisine captures all the fascinating aspects of the region. It is an often surprising combination of flavours of only a few
Olive oil in the kitchen – all your questions answered
It is impossible to imagine cooking without olive oil. Although people in the North also cook a lot with butter, olive oil is a very
Olive farmers and abandoned land
Small farms are a cornerstone in European agriculture and rural areas. They are vital in creating rural employment and territorial integrity, providing fresh and local
Can olive oil help regenerate my skin?
Olive oil has been used in body care since ancient times. Even in ancient Egypt, olive oil was used for hair and face care. Today’s
4 Reasons to buy olive oil in a Bag-in-Box
The bag-in-box (abbreviated as BiB) has been known as a packaging concept for a long time. The packaging consists of a cardboard box with an
The EU’s new Common Agricultural Policy: What does it means for Sicilian olive growers?
Environment, climate, targeted supports, and flexibility. The new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the European Union (EU) was adopted last year and will come into
The Mediterranean Diet: Delicious and Healthy
We cook with extra virgin olive oil! We have found that olive oil is at its best in simple dishes with products from the region.
Do olive farmers receive fair wages?
For many farmers it is not worthwhile to produce good olive oil. Even at a low cost and neglecting nature, most of the olive growers
Is olive oil always vegan?
As producers of olive oil, we are very aware of our dependence on nature. The climate, the soil, the olive trees and the way we
How is flavoured olive oil made?
Want to spice up the flavour of your dishes without much effort? Infused olive oil is a great way to bring new flavours into your
6 things that indicate good extra virgin olive oil
The variety and price differences of the olive oils on offer do not make it easy to choose a good olive oil. Even though one
Water usage in the olive oil production
Sustainability is very important to us at il circolo. Therefore, we pay close attention both to the production and packaging of olive oil and to
Curing table olives yourself – tips and tricks
Even though the extraction of olive oil is a big industry, it is not the only product that is made from fresh olives. Table olives
6 good reasons to buy organic olive oil
Many people have olive oil in their kitchen. The choice in the supermarket is huge because of the wide range of types, brands and varieties
Vocabulary of a regenerative food system
The idea of a regenerative food system has been around for quite some time. In simple terms, it is working in harmony with nature as
14 Fascinating facts about olive trees
“The olive tree is much more than merely a tree with a gnarled trunk; it is the emblematic embodiment of the values of peace, wisdom
Olive harvesting by hand or by machine – what producers say
Il circolo is a small traditional olive oil producer. Our olives are still picked by hand and that is quite labour-intensive. We sometimes get questions
Wildfires in Sicily
Wildfires are not uncommon in Sicily where the olive trees of il circolo grow. Blackened pieces of land or sometimes even whole hills remind of
CO₂ storage? Why our olive oil is CO₂-negative
At il circolo we attach great importance to an intact environment. For example, our olive oil is certified organic. This means that it complies with
What is D.O.P.?
As of the end of 2020 il circolo is allowed to use the D.O.P. label for its extra virgin olive oil. We are proud of
Olive oil and shelf life: how long can you keep olive oil?
Since I have been using il circolo extra virgin olive oil, I have really come to appreciate how fresh olive oil tastes. Unfortunately, olive oil
EU support for environmental investments granted
EU support for environmental investments Next to many hours of sun, occasional heavy rainfalls become more and more typical for the Sicilian climate, sometimes bringing
World Olive Tree Day
Every day, but especially on 26 November we honour the olive trees in our olive grove – from young to old trees. That day UNESCO
Is ‘Novello’ really that special?
Autumn means time to harvest! Also the olives of il circolo are ready to be picked. This season a special edition of olive oil appears
What does certified organic actually mean?
Il circolo stands (among other things) for the annual rings of our centuries-old olive trees growing on the slopes of Monte Iblei in southern Sicily.
