New Efforts to Promote Rare White Olive Variety in Calabria
Archaeologists are working to preserve the cultural heritage of the Leucocarpa cultivar as producers are starting to grow and transform the ivory-white fruits.
Xu Yinan
The Leucocarpa cultivar, a rare white olive variety once widely spread in the southern Italian region of Calabria, has been officially recognized by the regional government as a symbol of the region.
Its unique appearance, history and the distinctive oil that it yields have led to a renewed interest in further researching and developing the cultivar in the region.
Remains of 2,500-Year-Old Mill Discovered in Italy
They believe it is the earliest olive oil mill found in Magna Graecia, a region that encompasses most of Italy s southern coastline, where ancient Greek colonists arrived 3,500 years ago.
Photo: Lucano Agency for Development and Innovation in Agriculture
Feb. 12, 2021
An ancient olive oil mill dating to the 4
th century B.C. has been uncovered during archeological excavations in the province of Matera.
Located in the Basilicata region in southern Italy, the archaeologists said that the finding is sensational due to both its structure and age.