Challenge:
Olive Bars
Table olives represent a greatly appreciated food by consumers and along with the growing demand and information on them there are also an increasing number of shows. During the second week of July 2013 a first time exhibition took place in Gaeta. The "Festival of the olive oil and Gaeta olives” set in the port’s pier "Molo Sanità" saw meetings, round tables and tastings all focused on this outstanding cultivar which takes its name directly from the port town. In mid-August, a typical product such as the stuffed olives “all’Ascolana” was acclaimed in Ascoli Piceno during the first edition of the "Ascoliva Festival" witnessing a massive participation with over 24,000 people. Far more rich in tradition is the “Sagra delle Olive”held in Sannicardo (Apulia) at the beginning of October where visitors can taste the peculiar sweet fried olives in extra virgin olive oil. For the twelfth time running, Castel Madama was the scene of “OlioOlive” a festival held in the second half of November, where visitors can get a glimpse of the techniques of traditional harvesting and taste olive oil of local crops. But shows dedicated to olives are also held in places as far as Australia. The Australian Olive Association Ltd (AOA) organizes events that reward the best producers of table olives of Oceania.