Mission

The Mission (or Missions) olive, is a variety of olive that has historical significance in California. It is named after the Franciscan missions established by Spanish missionaries in California during the colonial era.
The Mission Olive is believed to have been brought to California by the Spanish missionaries in the late 18th century. It became one of the first olive cultivars to be planted in the state and played a crucial role in the establishment of the olive industry in California.
The Mission olive tree is known for its vigor and adaptability to various climates and soil types. It has a spreading growth habit and can reach a moderate size. The olives are medium to large and have an oval shape. When ripe, they turn dark purple or black.
Traditionally, Mission olives were primarily used for oil production due to their high oil content. The oil extracted from Mission olives is known for its fruity and mild flavor. However, Mission olives are also suitable for table olives, and they can be processed and cured in different ways to be enjoyed as a snack or used in various culinary dishes.
Over time, the popularity of the Mission olive variety has diminished in commercial production as other olive cultivars with higher yields and different flavor profiles gained prominence. However, the Mission olive still holds cultural and historical significance in California, and some olive growers continue to cultivate and preserve this heritage variety.
In summary, the Mission olive is a historically important olive variety in California, brought by Spanish missionaries and planted in the early days of the state’s olive industry. It is versatile, used both for oil production and as table olives, and it retains a unique place in California’s olive heritage.