From the slopes of the Pontine Hills emerges the story of the Itrana olive, a typical product of Lazio originating from the city of Itri, from which it takes its name.
The Itrana olive and the Pontine territory boast two protected designations of origin: the DOP Colline Pontine for extra virgin olive oil and the DOP Oliva di Gaeta for table olives in brine, ensuring their uniqueness.
ITRANA OLIVE, THE HISTORY
The earliest historical documents confirming the presence of olive groves in the lower Riviera of Ulisse date back to the 10th century, specifically in the will of Docibile II, Duke of Gaeta from 933 until his death in 954.
It is likely that the trees arrived much earlier, thanks to the Greeks who used the fruits in their cuisine. Virgil even recounts in the Aeneid how Aeneas gathered olives floating in the sea, noting their unique flavor.
The name ‘Oliva di Gaeta’ originates from the ancient Duchy of Gaeta. While the city of Itri has always been one of the major producers, the commercialization and exportation occurred through the port of Gaeta.
ITRANA OLIVE, THE CHARACTERISTICS
The Itrana olive is known by different names depending on its stage of ripeness, which ranges from November to April:
- Oliva bianca for the green Itrana
- Cerasola for the changing color
- Di Gaeta for the mature olives
The tree itself is very strong and vigorous, and in particularly fertile soils, it presents with a dense canopy and lanceolate-shaped leaves. The olives mature late and at different times. They can be harvested in the traditional months of September-October, when they have a vibrant pink color, and processed to produce high-quality extra virgin olive oil.
The Itrana olive can also be harvested in the spring months of March and April, when its color is dark and intense. In this case, the olives are destined for culinary use.
ITRANA OLIVE, AREA OF PRODUCTION
The olive groves in the province of Latina are predominantly located in the foothill and hilly areas that extend continuously and uniformly behind the Pontine plain, from the municipality of Roccamassima to Minturno. These groves develop parallel to the sea from north to south of the province, through the contiguous systems of the Lepini, Ausoni, and Aurunci mountains.
This territory is characterized by the extensive presence of olive groves and the constant presence of the Itrana olive variety, which never falls below 50% of the total number of olive trees in the groves.