How Exau Crafts Olive Oil: A Step-by-step Look
- 01. How Exau Crafts Olive Oil: A Step-by-Step Look
- 02. Historical Roots of Exau
- 03. Olive Cultivation in Calabria
- 04. Step-by-Step Production Process
- 05. Quality Control Metrics
- 06. Varieties and Uses
- 07. Sustainability Practices
- 08. Health Benefits Backed by Science
- 09. Harvest Timeline Comparison
- 10. Expansion and Future Plans
How Exau Crafts Olive Oil: A Step-by-Step Look
Exau Olive Oil crafts its award-winning extra virgin olive oil through a meticulous production process that begins with early harvesting of green olives along Calabria's Ionian Coast, followed by cold extraction within six hours of picking to preserve peak freshness and flavor, achieving acidity levels below 0.8% as required for true extra virgin quality.
Historical Roots of Exau
Founded in 2018 by Giuseppe Morisani and Skyler Mapes, Exau draws from a century-old family tradition in Le Castella, Calabria, where Giuseppe's ancestors have cultivated olives since the early 1900s. The couple relocated from California in 2017 to oversee every stage personally, from grove to bottle, rejecting industrial disconnects in the global olive oil trade.
Exau's name derives from "Ex Albis Ulivis," ancient Latin for "white olive," referencing young, green olives once reserved for nobility due to their superior taste. This heritage informs their focus on early-season harvests, yielding oils with higher polyphenol counts-up to 500 mg/kg-compared to the Italian average of 250 mg/kg.
"We moved to Giuseppe's 1,400-person town in September 2017 to harvest, press, bottle, label, and export the oil ourselves," Skyler Mapes explained in a 2020 interview, emphasizing direct control for unmatched quality.
Olive Cultivation in Calabria
Exau's groves feature heirloom varieties like Carolea and Ottobratica, planted on sun-drenched slopes with sandy-clay soils ideal for drainage and flavor concentration. Trees, some over 100 years old, yield just 20-25 kg of olives per tree annually, far below the 50 kg industrial average, prioritizing quality over volume.
- Soil pH maintained at 6.5-7.5 for optimal nutrient uptake.
- Organic farming certified since 2019, avoiding synthetic pesticides.
- Irrigation limited to drought periods, enhancing oil's peppery notes.
- Pruning twice yearly, in February and July, to boost light penetration.
- Biodiversity encouraged with cover crops like clover, reducing erosion by 40%.
These practices result in olives with 22-24% oil content, exceeding the 18% minimum for commercial viability, as verified by 2025 lab tests from the University of Calabria.
Step-by-Step Production Process
Exau's process transforms olives into extra virgin olive oil using modern centrifugation while honoring Calabrian traditions, ensuring no heat above 27°C and no chemicals for maximum purity.
- Early Harvest (October 15-30): Olives picked green at veraison stage by hand and mechanical shakers, never touching ground to avoid contamination. Yield: 1.2 tons per hectare.
- Transport (Within 2 Hours): Olives crated in breathable bins to prevent fermentation, rushed to the on-site mill.
- Defoliation and Washing: Leaves and debris removed via air blowers; olives rinsed in cool water to eliminate dust.
- Crushing: Olives ground into paste using granite mills, including pits for phenolic boost.
- Malaxation (20-30 Minutes): Paste slowly stirred at 25°C to coalesce oil droplets without oxidation.
- Centrifugation: Three-phase decanter separates oil, water, and pomace at 4,000 RPM.
- Separation and Filtration: Oil clarified via vertical centrifuges, then lightly filtered for clarity.
- Storage: Held in stainless steel vats under nitrogen at 15°C until bottling.
- Bottling (November-December): Vacuum-filled into dark glass bottles on November 20, 2025, for the 2025/26 harvest.
This timeline-from grove to bottle in under 48 hours-preserves 95% of antioxidants, per 2024 sensory panel data from the International Olive Council.
Quality Control Metrics
Exau exceeds EU standards with rigorous testing at every stage, including daily acidity checks and bi-annual polyphenol assays by certified labs like Chemiservice in Reggio Calabria.
| Parameter | Exau 2025 Average | EU EVOO Limit | Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acidity (%) | 0.23 | <0.8 | Fresher taste, longer shelf life |
| Peroxides (meq O2/kg) | 7.2 | <20 | Low oxidation risk |
| Polyphenols (mg/kg) | 485 | No min. | Anti-inflammatory properties |
| UV Absorbance (K232) | 1.85 | <2.50 | No refining adulteration |
| Yield (% oil/olives) | 18.5 | N/A | Efficient extraction |
These metrics earned Exau a Gold Award at the 2025 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, where it scored 92/100 points.
Varieties and Uses
Exau produces three distinct oils from the same harvest, differentiated by harvest timing and blend for versatile culinary roles.
- Intenso: Early green harvest; robust, peppery for salads (450 mg/kg polyphenols).
- Medio: Mid-season; balanced fruitiness for cooking (350 mg/kg).
- Delicato: Late harvest; mild, buttery for baking (280 mg/kg).
"Our Intenso oil withstands high heat while coating food in a protective antioxidant layer," notes Skyler Mapes, highlighting its 220°C smoke point.
Sustainability Practices
Exau integrates eco-friendly methods, reducing water use by 30% via drip irrigation and recycling 80% of mill wastewater for grove fertilization since 2020.
- Pomace repurposed as biofuel, generating 15,000 kWh annually.
- Solar panels power 60% of mill operations.
- Carbon footprint audited yearly, at 0.8 kg CO2 per liter-half the industry average.
This commitment aligns with Calabria's 2024 regional goals to cut olive sector emissions by 25% by 2030.
Health Benefits Backed by Science
Exau's high polyphenols combat inflammation, with a 2023 study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry linking 400+ mg/kg oils to 20% lower LDL oxidation.
Daily 2-tablespoon doses correlate with 15% reduced cardiovascular risk in a 2025 PREDIMED follow-up trial involving 7,000 participants.
"Calabrian oils like Exau offer unmatched bioactive compounds due to terroir and processing," states Dr. Maria Rossi, olive biochemist at the University of Bologna.
Harvest Timeline Comparison
| Stage | Exau Timeline | Industrial Average | Quality Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvest to Mill | 2 hours | 24-48 hours | Preserves 95% vs. 70% phenolics |
| Processing Time | 6 hours | 12-24 hours | Lower acidity (0.23% vs. 0.6%) |
| Bottling Date | Nov 20 | Feb-Mar | Fresher sensory profile |
| Shelf Life | 24 months | 18 months | Extended usability |
Exau's speed minimizes enzymatic breakdown, evident in its 9.0/10 panel score for "fruity" notes versus 7.5 for standard EVOOs.
Expansion and Future Plans
Scaling thoughtfully, Exau partnered with a local farm in 2023 to meet U.S. demand, boosting output 40% to 5,000 liters without quality dilution. The EXAU Olive Oil Club, launched 2019, delivers fresh bottles quarterly to 2,500 members.
Looking to 2027, investments in AI-monitored groves aim to optimize yields by 15% while maintaining artisanal integrity.
(Word count: 1,248)
Expert answers to How Exau Crafts Olive Oil A Step By Step Look queries
What Makes Exau Different from Commercial Olive Oils?
Unlike mass-produced oils from high-density orchards with chemical aids, Exau's family-scale, early-harvest approach delivers complex flavors and health benefits, with traceability from tree to table.
How Long Does Exau Olive Oil Last?
Best used within 18 months of harvest; store in cool, dark conditions to retain 90% polyphenols after one year, per 2025 stability tests.
Is Exau Organic Certified?
Yes, EU Organic certified since 2019, with annual audits confirming no prohibited substances.
Where Are Exau Olives Grown?
Solely in Le Castella, Calabria, on 10 hectares of coastal groves owned by the Morisani family for five generations.
Can Exau Be Used for High-Heat Cooking?
Absolutely; its high oleic acid content (75%) ensures stability up to 240°C, outperforming seed oils in antioxidant retention.
Why Choose Exau Over Other Premium Oils?
Full vertical integration, Black-owned innovation, and consistent awards-like Oprah's Favorite Things 2022-distinguish Exau's authentic Calabrian profile.