Untold Italy · Friday, October 23, 2026
Joanne Lucina discussed how Italy produces large quantities of olive oil and features over 500 varieties of olives, with more than 300 specifically used for oil production. She explained that each Italian region has unique, hyperlocal varieties that produce distinct flavor profiles, such as grassy Moriolo in Tuscany and gentle Tejasca in Liguria.
“And yes, there's over 500 varieties of olives grown in Italy, and over 300 of those olives are what we call olive oil-producing olives.”