Genuine Italian extra virgin olive oil from Puglia, made by hand in small batches and delivered direct in Belgium. At Uliveto di Mede we make olive oil the way it has been made for thousands of years: 100% Italian, cold-pressed within hours of the harvest, unblended and with no refining whatsoever. No middlemen, no industrial process — just oil from centuries-old trees in Sicarico, a village in the heart of Puglia.

• ✓ 100% extra virgin olive oil, mechanically pressed only
• ✓ Cold-pressed within 6 hours of hand-harvesting
• ✓ Rich in polyphenols (EFSA-approved health claim)
• ✓ Small-batch production from a single olive grove
• ✓ Delivery throughout Belgium — free from €50

See our olive oils

Why choose Italian olive oil from Puglia?

Puglia produces more than 40% of all Italian olive oil. The combination of limestone-rich soils, plenty of sunshine, centuries-old olive groves and knowledge passed down through generations makes this region unique. Unlike mass production elsewhere, the Apulian tradition remains small-scale: hand-harvesting, fast pressing, few intermediate steps.

Our olives are harvested when they reach their optimal balance between flavour and nutrients — usually in the first half of November. Within hours of picking they go to the cold press. That speed is crucial: the longer olives wait, the more of their aromas and polyphenols are lost.

What sets our extra virgin olive oil apart?

Not every olive oil you see in the shops is what it claims to be. Genuine extra virgin olive oil has a number of characteristics you can recognise yourself:

• Freshness — oil from a recent harvest, ideally the same season in which you buy it
• Cold pressing — purely mechanical extraction without heat (< 27 °C)
• Low acidity — below 0.8% under EU rules; ours is below 0.3%
• Polyphenols — natural antioxidants responsible for the typical peppery finish
• Origin — one region, one grove, traceable down to the tree

Our oil is tested every year in a certified Italian laboratory. Each product lists the acidity and polyphenol content of the current harvest.

Our olive oils — choose what suits you

We offer three complementary olive oils, each with a specific role in the kitchen:

• Artisanal 750 ml bottle — our premium oil for finishing and raw use. Perfect for dipping bread, salads, or a final drizzle over a finished dish. €24.
• Essenziale 3L tin — bold Coratina, intensely fruity with a peppery finish. Ideal for anyone who cooks regularly and won't compromise on quality. €59.
• Il Quotidiano 3L tin — softer and more balanced, made for everyday use. Roasting, finishing soups, simple pasta. €54.

How do you use extra virgin olive oil?

A good Apulian olive oil can play a part at every stage of cooking. Here are the uses where our oil makes the biggest difference:

• Salads and dressings — mix with balsamic vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper for a vinaigrette that tastes of southern Italy.
• Bread dipping — pour into a small dish, add dried rosemary or oregano and serve with crusty bread. The Italian aperitivo in its simplest form.
• Finishing pasta — fry garlic in olive oil, add crushed tomatoes, finish with basil. No shop-bought sauce comes close.
• Roasting vegetables — toss potatoes, carrots or peppers in olive oil before roasting. It gives lovely caramelisation and keeps the natural flavour.
• Marinades for meat and fish — combine with lemon, garlic and herbs. It makes meat more tender and adds depth.
• Finishing soups — a final drizzle just before serving takes minestrone, lentil soup or tomato soup to another level.

Many people think extra virgin olive oil can't take heat. That is a myth. Thanks to its high concentration of antioxidants, high-quality extra virgin olive oil is stable up to around 210 °C — more than enough for most cooking, including frying and stir-frying.

Delivery in Belgium

Our olive oil ships from our warehouse in Belgium. Orders placed before 2 pm on working days are sent the same day and usually arrive at your door within 1 to 3 working days. Shipping is free from €50 throughout Belgium and the Netherlands.

We deliver throughout Belgium: Flanders, Brussels and Wallonia. Our olive oil is a popular gift during the festive season — order in good time to avoid delays around the holidays.

Frequently asked questions

What exactly does "extra virgin" olive oil mean?

Extra virgin is the highest quality grade for olive oil under EU regulations. The oil must be extracted purely mechanically (no heat above 27 °C, no solvents), have an acidity below 0.8%, and be free of defects both sensorially and chemically. Ours comes in well below 0.3%.

Where does your olive oil come from?

From our own olive grove in Sicarico, a village near Monopoli in Puglia, southern Italy. We work with centuries-old trees that we harvest by hand. Pressing takes place at a local, traditional olive mill a few kilometres from the grove.

What are polyphenols and why do they matter?

Polyphenols are natural antioxidants in olive oil. The European Food Safety Authority recognises that olive oil polyphenols contribute to the protection of blood lipids from oxidative stress, with a daily intake of 20 g of olive oil containing at least 5 mg of hydroxytyrosol and its derivatives. Polyphenols are also behind the typical peppery finish in the throat — a sign of a fresh, high-quality oil.

Can I use your olive oil for frying?

Yes. High-quality extra virgin olive oil is stable up to around 210 °C, more than enough for frying, stir-frying and roasting. The antioxidants protect the oil from oxidation during heating. We don't recommend it for deep-frying — not for reasons of quality but of cost.

How should I store olive oil once opened?

Cool (15–20 °C), dark and tightly closed. Avoid direct sunlight and heat sources such as near the hob. A tin protects better than a clear bottle. Use opened oil within 6 months for maximum flavour and polyphenols.

How do I know if an oil is really extra virgin?

Four signs: a stated harvest date, a stated acidity, an origin down to the region or grove, and — when tasting — a slight bitterness and peppery finish. Oil without these signs, or with vague terms such as "blend of EU olives", is almost always of lower quality.

Do you also deliver to Wallonia and Brussels?

Yes, throughout Belgium. Our website is available in Dutch, French and English, and ordering from French-speaking Belgium is no problem at all.

Do you work at a company and are you looking for Italian gifts for clients or staff? Take a look at our corporate gifts approach with three tiers and delivery in December.