Trees Budding & Amalfi Travel Tips ๐
Missing You <3
Ciao! Did you miss us as much as we missed writing to you? So what took us so long? Well, we were enjoying the sweet Texan sun, finger-licking good BBQ, and the luxury of driving on a 4 lane freeway. And we can't forget about the iced coffee, burgers, and beef jerky. Shout out to Whataburger for always having a functioning milkshake machine and iced tea : )
But we have to admit, we deeply missed our seaside view, the smell of Lina's cooking wafting through the stairwell, and our fruttivendolo (fruit vendor). But most importantly we missed our trees!
She's Budding!
It's spring, our trees are THRIVING, and we could not be more proud. Giuseppe manages the estates and over the past year, he has put so much time and energy into caring for every single tree. We've consulted with chemists to test the health of our trees and soil, and all of our hard work is truly paying off.
Earlier this year Giuseppe heavily trimmed the olive trees on property #2 (pictured above), a sort of reset. Our neighbors said we cut them back too much (lol). They're now budding more than ever and the (very cute) white flowers will bloom soon!
Customer Question
Q: Do olive tree flowers have a scent?
A: They don't. While the flowers are beautiful, they don't smell like much.
We are a resource for you in the world of olive oil. If you're interested in the ways in which the olive flower blooms and the fruit forms we invite you to read this post. If you're more into videos check out our latest series on Instagramย & TikTok called 'Questions With An Italian Olive Oil Producer'. Giuseppe will answer!
You can also Submit questions by responding to this email : )
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An Olive Oil Book Update
We're writing a book with Ten Speed Press and recently submitted the first manuscript. We're now reviewing options for illustrations! This is a real-life pinch us moment. We truly believe good things take time, and in writing, this is especially true. While olive oil is technically a simple food, it's nuanced and complex. There are many shades of subtly that are hard to put into words because they exist within a physical energy. We are the caretakers of an ancient species that could tell a thousand stories. A short walk in the groves and you could feel it too. We really hope this book captures at least the essence of that presence!
Traveling To Italy This Summer
Wow, Italy is back at 115% capacity, and the weather is showing out. A lot of our customers have plans to travel to Italy this summer, especially the Amalfi coast. So we thought we'd revisit some of our favorites.
Early last fall Cassandra, Travel Italian Style, was kind enough to show us around Sorrento, Capri, and Gragnano. And we had the best time. Giuseppe and I can be described as 'low maintenance' travelers (re: spontaneous and not into planning). Because of this, I don't see a trip to Amalfi during peak season in our future. But you can avoid this!
As a travel planner that has lived many years on the Amalfi coast, and now lives in the Sorrento peninsula, Cassandra's number one advice is not to rely on public transportation. While ferries work quite well, public buses get full quickly and you risk waiting for hours. Her number one recommendation is to prebook as many private transfers, whether it's by boat or car, before departing for your vacation. If you plan to visit this summer and do not have hotels or transfers booked yet she highly recommends you get everything booked ASAP. In addition, it's best to book any must-go-to dinners and locations ahead of time.
Some Posts That Might Help
How To Visit Sorrento
How To Visit Capri
Visiting Gragnano, The Home of Dry Pasta
Membership Waitlist
The EXAU Olive Oil Club reopens next month! If you'd like to join we invite you to signup for the waitlist. You'll be notified early when the club reopens. As a reminder, EXAU Olive Oil memberships only open quarterly. Benefits of joining include access to new EXAU oil first and year-round access to sold-out products (re: the Avus).
Grab Some Oil
It's BBQ season which means there are endless opportunities to drizzle and douse all types of deliciousness with EXAU! Might we suggest the Lina for grilled steak, chicken, mushrooms, and bean salad?! And now we're hungry : )
P.S. Photo above is during harvest as we were tasting the oils from the mill!
Follow us on Instagram or Facebookย for more!
A presto,
-Skyler & Giuseppe
www.EXAUoliveoil.com