Brava Gallega
Brava and Mansa Gallega (Olea europaea subs. europaea var. europaea) are grown in the Spanish Northwest; however, this crop has largely been forgotten, even though olive oil was once an important product of the area. Sadly, apart from a few scraps of information handed down orally and can still be found in the area, some even form groves now part of open woodland. The Brava olive trees are available in the south of Lugo and part of a small area of Ourense. The greatest concentration of these olive trees currently extends from the Sermitas Monastery (Ourense) through towns such as Santa Cruz, Porto Mourrisco, Portela, and Laiouco to the mouth of the Bibei River, encompassing the Sil valley formed by Ribas do Sil and Quiroga, extending to both banks of said river. As a matter of curiosity, there are towns with olive trees of only the Brava variety: Piñeira, Figueiredo, Anguieiros, and Parada, among others.
Visually, these plants display an oval-shaped olive ending in a straight, albeit not very pronounced, peak with delicate lines. The name "Brava" stems from the fact that it is challenging to pick, coinciding with the coldest months. In reality, the Brava variety yields an extra-origin oil of superior quality compared to the Mansa variety, albeit with a lower yield. Originally ripening in December, January, and February, climate change has caused the ripening to shift from the end of October through December.
It is fruity, spicy, intense, and bitter oil that ends up being fruity again. It changes in the mouth. It is one of the peculiarities that indigenous oil has. This intensity of nuances differs more in the Brava than in the Mansa. These ancient trees, considered a biodiversity reservoir of minor cultivars, represent a very important genetic heritage of Galicia that is at risk of being lost. For that reason, it is imperative to look for ways to exploit and valorise them, even though olive oil was once an important product of the Galicia area.
