What makes our olive oil so special?
State-of-the art technology and best practices are used to protect the integrity of Azhara Grove oil. We are one of the few Moroccan EVOOs with organic accreditation adhering to recognised standards in agricultural and processing practices.
The Terroir
Our olives are grown in an ancient terroir called Kelaa des Sraghna. Renowned for its agriculture, Kelaa is located 85 kilometres north of Marrakech, in the foothills of the Atlas mountain range.
The Grove
We are accredited as organic by the Organic Farmers & Growers association meaning we employ the highest standards of agricultural and processing practices.
We pride ourselves on using regenerative agricultural practices, focusing on soil health and biodiversity. The grove provides meaningful employment and positively contributes to the local economy.
Harvesting
The olives are (early) harvested by hand and are cold-pressed within hours of harvest.
The Production Process
As a Sommelier, take it from me that the way olives are harvested and milled has a great impact on the quality of the oil.
We undertake early harvesting which results in the sought-after green, grassy flavour profile favoured by foodies and culinary experts across the globe.
We have our own mill on sight and olives are pressed within hours of harvest in temperature-controlled environments (not always easy in Morocco). This ensures that the oil is of the highest quality and preserves the sensorial elements.
Next the EVOO is filtered. While some producers claim that unfiltered is preferable, filtering removes all sediment and extends the shelf-life of the oil as this sediment can ferment.
The oil itself
Morocco's olive oil heritage is defined by a single dominant cultivar: Picholine Marocaine. Perfectly adapted to the country's climate, it produces oils naturally high polyphenol content.
Azhara Grove is a monovarietal extra virgin olive oil, made from 100% Picholine Marocaine olives. Independently tested, it contains over 300 mg/kg of polyphenols and has a low acidity of just 0.11%, reflecting careful harvesting and precise production.
The oil has a delicate, green profile with notes of almond, apple and tomato. Balanced and expressive, it finishes with a clean bitterness and a gentle, peppery pungency — the subtle spice that develops at the back of the throat.
Our bottle
An oil of such high quality deserves to be encased in an equally special bottle. Our bottle is artist-designed and represents the stunning landscape in which our orchards lie, where rugged, burnt-orange tundra meets the majestic Atlas range and where temperatures range from arid, desert heat all the way up to snowy peaks.