Istrian extra virgin olive oil is the best in the world according to the olive oil Bible Flos Olei
Italy, Spain, and Greece are the most well known countries for olive oil production and export. Barely anyone knows about Croatian olive oil, but Istria of Croatia has been declared the best extra virgin olive oil region in the world for the eighth year by the leading guide Flos Olei. The olive oil from the Dalmatian region of Croatia is also amazing, but the farms or producers didn’t make it to the top in Flos Olei.
Why is Istrian olive oil the best in the world?
What makes Istrian olive oil the best is a combination of factors: microclimate, soil, geographic location, harvesting method, proximity to olive mill and timely processing, and some local varietals of olive. The perfect combination makes the olive oil from Istria more aromatic, healthier and fresher.
Without looking at Istria through a scientific lens, Istria is just beautiful and untouched. It’s a peninsula in the Adriatic sea. Olive groves and vineyards are everywhere in mountains, valleys, and plains. You can say Istria is like the best olive growing countryside of Italy combined and condensed.
Istria is the best travel destination in the world for olive oil tasting
The compactness makes Istria the best olive oil tasting destination in the world. Istria is a small peninsula, only 1 hour drive from its north to south, and it has the most Flos Olei Top 150 olive oil farms/producers in the world (scoring 94 or above) – about 20 of them. You can easily go olive oil farm hoping. And there is no charge.
Olive oil tasting in Istria is a phenomenal multi-sensory experience. Warm it (with one hand holding and another hand covering), smell it, taste it. The aroma and flavor depth and complexity is incredible, especially from some indigenous olive varietals. The tasting notes don’t come all at once. Within a minute of the olive oil first touching your tongue, you’ll go through a roller coaster of many different notes starting, peaking, and declining at different rates.
The best olive oil in Istria?
They are all amazing. The best of the best Istrian olive oil comes down to your personal preference of the sensory profile and the polyphenol content you seek.
Buršić Extra Virgin Olive Oil’s Bova extra virgin olive oil blew my mind. Bova is a lesser known Istrian olive varietal and very few olive oil farms produce Bova olive oil. You can taste all grassy, fruity, herbaceous, bitter, and peppery flavors in Bova, all rich and yet not overpowering. And, its polyphenol level is above 1100 mg/kg. Normally with the polyphenol level this high, the taste is very bitter and no longer culinary, but this Bova extra virgin olive oil is still incredibly delicious. For your reference point, olive oil with polyphenols above 250 mg/kg is considered healthy extra virgin olive oil, and the majority on the market are not. A level around 500 mg/kg is very rare. Buršić Extra Virgin Olive Oil’s Bova extra virgin olive oil is an ultra rare gem.
The neighborhood restaurants have extraordinary olive oil too
In Istria, even the olive oil from your next door neighbor’s hobby farm is world class. The unlabeled olive oil on the tables of local restaurants in Istria is better than any expensive olive oil you can buy at grocery stores in United State. This is another reason why Istria is the best olive oil tasting destination in the world. You are olive oil tasting even when you are not officially olive oil tasting.
Where are the top Flos Olei olive oil farms and shops in Istria?
Istria is very small, only one hour drive from north to south. But since the top olive oil farms or producers in Istria are all exceptional, you can just go olive oil tasting or buy at the ones closest to where you stay. If you have more time, you can go to specific ones across all Istria.
The top Flos Olei (2023) olive oil farms/producers in Istria by area and score
All Google Map links. You can open and bookmark/save in your Google Map account.
In north Istria:
Ipša 98
Buršić Extra Virgin Olive Oil 96
OLIVERI Extra Virgin Olive Oil 96
Červar Extra Virgin Olive Oil 95
Uljara-Olive mill-Oleificio ‘AL TORCIO’ 95
In south Istria:
Chiavalon Extra Virgin Olive Oil 97
MELOTO EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL SHOP 96
Cadenela Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil 94
In east Istria:
Negri Olive 96
Nono Remiđo (OPG Damir Vanđelić) – Oil Mill & Shop 94
Hotel or larger retail
Meneghetti Wine Hotel & Winery 94
San Rocco 94
Zigante tartufi – Truffles shop Grožnjan 94
What are the unique Istrian olive varieties?
The most common domestic Croatian variety is oblica. The most widespread indigenous Istrian variety is buža, followed by Istarska bjelica, rosinjola, crnica, drobnica, karbonaca, žižolera, moražola, and bova. Leccino, on the other hand, is an Italian variety commonly grown in Istria. If you visit Istria, it would be fun to also taste the varieties only available in Istria.
Istria is a top foodie destination
Istria has many other incredible highly prized source ingredients to offer and humble cooking, but the olive oil itself is enough to make Istria a top foodie destination. And their liquid gold olive oil is still very reasonably priced. Be warned. Once you have tasted Croatian or Istrian olive oil, you might be disappointed with the olive oil you have access to in your home country.
