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Moraiolo

Origin: Italy
Purpose: Oil
Cold tolerance: Medium
Self sterile
Productivity: High, constant
Start of bearing: Early
Ripening: Medium early
Oil content: Medium high
 

Growth: Moraiolo originated in Tuscany but has been disseminated around Italy and elsewhere. It is a low to medium vigor tree with an upright growth habit. Its tolerance for cold is considered low by a majority of the sources, but medium and even high by some. This is a popular and widespread variety, and numerous ecotypes have been identified. It is self-sterile; pollinizers include Pendolino, Maurino, Lazzero and Rosino; it is reportedly incompatible with Leccino. In the literature it is said to come into bearing early, but in California it seems to be slower that most of the other Tuscans to reach full production. It has high, constant productivity.

Pests: Moraiolo is considered susceptible or highly susceptible to leaf spot. It is also susceptible to olive knot and verticillium.

Oil: This cultivar is prized for its high content of excellent oil which is easily extracted. Moraiolo is popular as a monocultivar and also as a constituent of a Tuscan blend. The oil is very fruity and complex, with pronounced bitter and pungent notes.

Harvest: Fruit ripening is intermediate and phased.

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