Ever since ancient times olive oil is indispensable from the Mediterranean cuisine. Along the entire Croatian coast, from Istria in the north, on the many islands and Dubrovnik in the south, olive trees grow and olive oil is made. The regional cuisine on the coast is based on the use of olive oil, perfect in salads, great on freshly baked fish or just for dipping a piece of bread in olive oil.
There are several types of olive oil available in Croatia that really taste different when you taste them side by side, you can do that when you visit a local olive oil producer. Most small restaurants and family hotels have their own olive oil on the table. The whole family, neighbours and friends harvest the olives in the autumn, which are then pressed. So everyone has another year of delicious fresh Croatian olive oil!
Olive oil from four different regions in Croatia are officially registered with the EU as a local product with protected designation of origin (PDO).
- Olive oil from the island of Cres
- Olive oil from the island of Krk, made from local olive varieties ‘Debela’, ‘Naska’, ‘Rošulja’ and ‘Slatka’
- Olive oil from the southern peninsula of Korcula, made from local olive varieties ‘Lastovka’ and ‘Drobnica’
- Olive oil from the northern Istrian peninsula, made from local olive varieties ‘Istarska Belica’, ‘Buža’, ‘Karbonaca’, ‘Crnica’, ‘Žižolera’, ‘Rošinjola’, ‘Puntoža’, ‘Leccino ‘, ‘Frantoio’, ‘Moraiolo’, ‘Pendolino’ and ‘Picholine’
Not only is olive oil tasty, it is also healthy. It protects against cardiovascular disease and more and more studies suggest a beneficial effect on (or the prevention of) many other conditions such as diabetes.
Store olive oil, preferably in a dark glass container, so it remains the best!
photo ©EMRE d.o.o.
- One of the most famous Croatian olive growing in Brijuni National Park (on the Istrian coast), the age of the tree is examined and is estimated to be approximately 1,600 years!
- Kastel Stafilic to Split is also a very old olive tree. It is believed that this tree grows here since the arrival of the Croats on the Adriatic Sea in the 7th century, the tree has an impressive dimension.
Food & Drinks
Ask around which restaurants serve local dishes and let yourself be surprised by the delicious local recipes. From Mediterranean cuisine at the coast to continental dishes with local ingredients and inspired by Turkish and Austrian-Hungarian kitchen. Each region can be proud of their specific local delicious dishes. In the interior try a nice fresh white wine with the well known …
Holiday ideas for 4 days in south Dalmatia by Croatia4me
We from Croatia4me have some great ideas and tips to help you plan a day or more days out in specific regions in Croatia. These are just ideas you can add to your own holiday plans, you can follow the day to day ideas we have written below, or mix it all up or pick one or two items that …
Holiday ideas for 5 days in Istria by Croatia4me
We from Croatia4me have some great ideas and tips to help you plan a day or more days out in specific regions in Croatia. These are just ideas you can add to your own holiday plans, you can follow the day to day ideas we have written below, or mix it all up or pick one or two items that …
National park Brijuni
NP Brijuni in short: NP Brijuni comprises of two islands off the coast of the Istrian peninsula on the northern coast of Croatia. The largest island is open to visitors, buy your entrance ticket to the island in the town of Fažana. The ticket fee includes the short ferry boat trip to the island and a ride with a tourist …
