Olives in Oregon!?!

We took our first field trip of the year yesterday and definitely learned some interesting things!  Our field trip was to Red Ridge Farms and was set up by a local homeschool group.  We didn't know any of the other people attending (the group has over 600 members!) but that didn't stop us from enjoying ourselves.

Red Ridge Farms started 40 years ago in the wine grape industry.  They were some of the pioneers in what is now Oregon Wine Country.  About 10 years ago, they started experimenting with growing olive trees. When we think of olives, we usually think of warm climates - California, Italy, Greece, Spain - not Oregon! Surprising there are a number of varieties of olive that grow well in our more moderate climate.

Our field trip started with this history of Red Ridge Farms.  We then moved up to the grove and mill.  We stopped by an old Roman Mill and learned how they used to make olive oil back in the day.  This specific mill is about 200 years old from Spain!

We were surprised by how small the trees are.  Olive trees aren't big, they are almost more bushes than trees. The trees had green olives on them.  They start becoming ripe (turn black) and ready to harvest in a about a month and half.  Bug got to try one of the green olives.  Here is what he thought of it.

He said it was very bitter and actually burned his tongue a bit! 

After checking out the grove, we learned how they mill the olives at Red Ridge.  It's just a bit more technologically advanced now! Look at all those machines. Washing, warming, crushing. It takes about an hour to an hour and half to get from the washing station to oil coming out.  Red Ridge only does one pressing, making Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

At the end of all this, we got to sample some of their oil! This was their Arbequina oil. First it had to be warmed up, then we smell it (reminicent of fresh cut grass!) and then we taste slurp it! Really, that's how you are supposed to taste it!  I don't like the taste of olive oil, but I really liked this! It had a much better flavor with just a bit of a spicy taste at the end. It's actually a good sign if you cough a little after tasting olive oil.
We happily took home their little free sample! We also got to try their other oils in their gift shop / tasting room. I'll be back, probably to buy some of their oil if I can fit it into the budget! This was very fun and I am thankful we got to join. I'm proud of Bug for having a good attitude, answering questions, and being brave enough to try the unripe, raw olive! It was a great way to kick off our field trips for the year!