The initiative to produce extra virgin olive oil underlines the work carried out so far at the Massa Marittima Institute, which began with beekeeping courses at the prison.

The olive oil production represents the second phase of the 'Programma Percorsi in Carcere' as it is carried out in a place far away from the prison. The responsible producer of this excellent olive oil is one of our working members, who is very active in promoting the reputation of our cooperative as a synonym for high quality and respect.

The extra virgin olive oil is the result of the pressing of the fruits of 150 olive trees, located in the upper Maremma, specifically in the Municipality of Sorano, Province of Grosseto, in an area surrounded by nature, far from pollution and from big cities' chaos. On a hillside, these trees enjoy the valley breeze and tramontana wind, which helps the olive trees to grow, making the environment inhospitable to the whitefly, a harmful parasite that feeds on the flesh of the olives. The absence of this arch-enemy of the olive trees allows producers to avoid any preventive action on the plants, including non-invasive action permitted by law; fertilisation is also a completely natural process and pruning is punctual and precise.

The final product is olive oil with a fruity and herbaceous aroma, with a slightly bitter and spicy aftertaste, delicate and not overpowering, able to enrich a simple dish and enhance the flavour of any food.