Events

Tacna: where olive oil holds a privileged place

A sensory analysis workshop at the Tacna Chamber of Commerce, with a comparative tasting that revealed the unique character of Tacna's internationally award-winning olive oil.

Tacna: where olive oil holds a privileged place

I recently had the pleasure of leading a workshop on sensory analysis and olive oil quality at the Tacna Chamber of Commerce, sharing a day of learning with people eager to discover how to identify a genuine Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

A revealing comparative tasting

One of the most anticipated moments was the comparative tasting between a Tacna olive oil — awarded a gold medal at an international competition held in Turkey — and two oils from the Middle East (Saudi Arabia and Turkey). This experience allowed participants to appreciate how origin, variety and production process shape the sensory characteristics of each oil.

Conducting the sensory comparison of our flagship variety — the criolla or sevillana — with its bold personality: herbal aromas, pungency and bitterness, supposedly not for sensitive palates! Sensitive palate? Surely a joke! Of course it is intense — and that is precisely what makes it unique and distinctive, especially when produced from olives at the optimal ripeness stage: olives at veraison, turned purple yet still showing green flecks.

A fact many people don’t know

This event was also an opportunity to highlight a surprising piece of data:

Did you know that Tacna produces more than three-quarters of Peru’s olive crop?

According to regional data, Tacna accounts for 76.67% of the country’s national olive production, establishing itself as Peru’s leading olive-growing region. Arequipa (19.61%), Ica (2.55%) and Lima (0.64%) follow at a considerable distance.

Source: INIA-MIDAGRI, 2022 season.

Furthermore, within the district of Tacna, the olive tree represents approximately 74% of the cultivated area, reflecting the enormous economic and cultural importance of this crop to the region.

Source: Agricultural Yearbook DEA / Production: Tacna / Agricultural Statistics 2025.

A region with an olive-growing vocation

These figures explain why Tacna is recognised not only for the volume of olives it produces, but also for the growing quality of its olive oils, which are capable of earning international recognition.

At Mundo AOVE, we continue working to spread this knowledge, bring olive oil culture closer to more people, and strengthen pride in what our region produces.

Photos

Participants discovering the sensory characteristics of olive oils during the workshop.
Participants discovering the sensory characteristics of olive oils during the workshop.
Sensory analysis session: colour, aroma and flavour guided by Alejandra.
Sensory analysis session: colour, aroma and flavour guided by Alejandra.
The comparative tasting brought together oils from Tacna, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
The comparative tasting brought together oils from Tacna, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
Learning to identify the positive attributes of a genuine Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Learning to identify the positive attributes of a genuine Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
The pungency and bitterness of the criolla variety came as a surprise to several attendees.
The pungency and bitterness of the criolla variety came as a surprise to several attendees.
Focused attention during the sensory evaluation of the samples.
Focused attention during the sensory evaluation of the samples.
Participants comparing their perceptions of the different oils.
Participants comparing their perceptions of the different oils.
The Tacna oil, gold medal winner in Turkey, stood out for its singular character.
The Tacna oil, gold medal winner in Turkey, stood out for its singular character.
Alejandra explains how the ripeness stage influences the oil's characteristics.
Alejandra explains how the ripeness stage influences the oil's characteristics.
Olives at the veraison stage: the key moment for oils of maximum aromatic expression.
Olives at the veraison stage: the key moment for oils of maximum aromatic expression.
Exchanging impressions upon discovering the sevillana or criolla variety.
Exchanging impressions upon discovering the sevillana or criolla variety.
The Tacna Chamber of Commerce, an ideal setting for promoting knowledge of the regional olive.
The Tacna Chamber of Commerce, an ideal setting for promoting knowledge of the regional olive.
Each glass of oil tells a story of variety, origin and artisanal expertise.
Each glass of oil tells a story of variety, origin and artisanal expertise.
A workshop that combines technical rigour with a passion for olive oil culture.
A workshop that combines technical rigour with a passion for olive oil culture.
Attendees leave with practical tools to assess olive oil quality at home.
Attendees leave with practical tools to assess olive oil quality at home.
Tacna accounts for 76.67% of Peru's national olive production — a figure that speaks for itself.
Tacna accounts for 76.67% of Peru's national olive production — a figure that speaks for itself.
Closing the day with a fresh perspective on Peruvian olive oil and its global potential.
Closing the day with a fresh perspective on Peruvian olive oil and its global potential.