Just a few minutes away from our first olive oil tasting in the Alentejo, we passed by the small village of Azaruja. It felt like being in the middle of nowhere, when Google Maps finally told us to turn into a dusty path. It was around 500m to go and we still couldn’t see any sign indicating that the Monte da Oliveira Velha estate from João Rosado is just around the corner. Fortunately, Google Maps did the work for us until we arrived at a small house surrounded by olive trees. It was the beginning of one of the most authentic experiences in Portugal we ever had…
The story of Amor é Cego olive oil
After we found the small and beautiful olive tree estate, João was already there to welcome us and show us around. From the first moment, his kind and authentic personality made us feel more than welcomed at his place. It was like talking with a friend you know for years, even if it was the first time that we met the teacher from Évora.
Before we started the olive oil tasting, we were able to learn more about João’s grandfather who bought this land and started growing olives as an additional source of income more than 70 years ago. Nowadays, João is one of the few producers of olive oil from the Galega olive trees. These special olive trees are native to Portugal and have very unique characterstics in taste – fruity with notes of tomato and dried fruit as well as a slightly spicy finish.
Delicious olive oil with a social impact
João is very proud of his 231 Galega olive trees, where some of them are more than 2,000 years old. Unfortunately, due to the relatively low yield, the native Galega olive trees are increasingly replaced in Portugal by higher-yielding alternatives from Spain. This is also one of the reasons, why João only produces around 500l from his olive oil called “Amor é Cego” (“Love is blind”) per year.
Nevertheless, with his 231 olive trees, João is more than happy. His idea to create high-quality Portuguese olive oil made of the Galega variety is working out. Although the price of 15€ for one bottle of 250ml might seem high, it’s the only way to preserve this native variety and the high-quality of the olive oil. On top, João also sees himself socially responsible for the surrounding area and the people who live there. Every year when harvesting season comes closer, he tries to hire local people from the region to help him with the olive tree harvesting. By paying a fair salary and integrating the local community, he is able to give something back to the region.
Unique olive oil tasting in the Alentejo
Coming back to the olive oil tasting, we were now more than excited to try the Amor é Cego olive oil. Therefore, João placed a table and chairs under one of his oldest olive trees, where we enjoyed his Portuguese olive oil. For the taste experience we do not want to anticipate something for you. You just have to try this unique olive oil for yourself. What we can tell you is, that João always accompanies you on your tasting journey and that he is very happy to answer questions.
When it comes to the final part, it might get a bit difficult. We are talking about buying his olive oil. While you are normally free to buy as many bottles as you want, João usually has a limited amount of olive oils he sells for one customer. This is also the reason why he often has to reject large buying offers from overseas or cooperations with restaurants who are too big. Instead João really takes care of where he sells his olive oil and to whom. So don’t be disappointed when you are not able to buy the 8 bottles you planned to buy.
Collaborations with local restaurants like Tua Madre
Apart from buying the olive oil directly from João, you can also find it at the restaurant Tua Madre in Évora. Here, the owner and chef Francesco serves some of his dishes with the Amor é Cego olive oil.
It’s a great culinary farm-to-table experience in Évora that is more than worth a try. Finally, keep your eyes open, when Amor é Cego and Tua Madre announce pop-up dinners together at João’s olive estate. Unfortunately, we were not able to try one, but this is an event you should not miss out.
If you want to book an exclusive olive oil tasting with João Rosado from Amor é Cego, than please send a booking request under this link or just contact João vie email: joao.rosado@azeiteamorecego.pt.
