Tunisian Olive Oil: From Ancient Roots to the Table

Amel Djait
il y a 1 jour
3 min de lecture

Podcast Dar – Episode 1 by Dar Jbel

Dar Jbel celebrates Tunisian olive oil as a living heritage

With the launch of the Podcast Dar, Dar Jbel introduces an international audience to the richness of Tunisian terroir, craftsmanship and cultural heritage. The first episode is dedicated to one of Tunisia’s most precious treasures: olive oil.

More than a culinary ingredient, Tunisian olive oil is a symbol of history, sustainability and transmission, deeply rooted in Mediterranean culture. At Dar Jbel, it becomes an immersive experience — from the olive grove to the table.

A distinguished guest: Kaouther BCHIR, international olive oil expert

This inaugural episode welcomes Kaouther Bchir Ben Hassine, PhD in sensory analysis, Panel Leader, and internationally recognized olive oil expert. Her expertise bridges tradition and science, from Tunisian olive groves to the world’s most prestigious olive oil competitions in New York, Paris and Istanbul. She shares her knowledge on what defines high-quality extra virgin olive oil, while highlighting Tunisia’s growing presence on the global olive oil stage.

Tunisia: one of the oldest olive oil producing countries in the world

Tunisia is home to one of the oldest olive-growing traditions worldwide, dating back over 2,000 years to the Punic era. The episode highlights remarkable examples such as the 2,200-year-old Echraf olive tree, a living witness to Tunisia’s agricultural history.

Today, Tunisia consistently ranks among the top global producers and exporters of olive oil, combining ancestral know-how with modern excellence.

Chetoui and Chemlali: signature Tunisian olive varieties

A key focus of the episode is the diversity of Tunisian olive cultivars, shaped by geography and climate:

Chetoui – Northern Tunisia

Robust and intense extra virgin olive oil
High polyphenol content
Notes of fresh grass, green apple and artichoke
Appreciated by chefs and olive oil connoisseurs

Chemlali – Central and Southern Tunisia

Smooth, delicate and balanced
Mild fruitiness
Ideal for everyday Mediterranean cooking
One of the most widely cultivated olive varieties in Tunisia

This diversity positions Tunisia as a major Mediterranean olive oil terroir.

How to identify premium extra virgin olive oil

The episode includes an educational olive oil tasting workshop, explaining:

Why blue tasting glasses are used in professional olive oil evaluations
How sensory analysis detects defects and quality markers
The role of bitterness and pungency as signs of freshness and antioxidants
Why early harvest green olives produce superior olive oil

These insights help consumers better understand what defines authentic premium olive oil.

From harvest to extraction: mastering olive oil quality

Kaouther Bchir explains the technical aspects that impact olive oil excellence:

Rapid processing after harvest
Cold extraction and strict temperature control
Precision at every step to preserve aromas and nutritional value

These practices explain why Tunisian olive oils are increasingly awarded international gold medals.

Women shaping the future of Tunisian olive oil

A powerful segment of the episode highlights the role of Tunisian women in olive oil production, sensory science and entrepreneurship.Their leadership is contributing to a new global image of Tunisia: innovative, sustainable and quality-driven. Dar Jbel is produced by women, Leila Bornaz Djait as olives producer and Amel Djait as olive oil prroducer and stroryteller. In this guest house, talking about olives and oil is a full time job because both believe that this agriculture activity is a karma and a responsability.

Olive oil tourism in Tunisia: the Dar Jbel experience

Dar Jbel promotes olive oil tourism (oleotourism) as a meaningful way to connect visitors with Tunisian culture:

Participating in the olive harvest
Exploring traditional olive groves
Guided olive oil tastings
Farm-to-table Tunisian cuisine
Immersion in rural Mediterranean life

Through oleotourism, Dar Jbel transforms olive oil into a cultural and sensory journey.

Olive oil as a family story and a shared legacy

The first episode of Podcast Dar concludes with a universal message:olive oil is not just a product — it is a story of families, land and transmission.

With Podcast Dar, Dar Jbel positions itself as an ambassador of Tunisian olive oil, terroir and art de vivre, sharing this heritage with the world.

· Podcast : DAR, la maison qui parle

· Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/@DARJBEL-Hammamet

· Rythme : Bimensuel

· Durée : Environ 40 minutes

· Hôte : Amel Djait

Pour en savoir plus, www.darjbel.com

Pour réserver : +216 29 965 177