Picual

Variety

Almería

Origin

international awards

NYIOOC, Evooleum, Iberoleum

Selected by Mercedes

Oro del desierto Picual

Oro del Desierto

14.50 € 29,00 €/L

24.50 € away from free shipping to Spain · Seen it cheaper? Read this first

Order before 14:00, arrives May 27, 2026

Quantity

× 500ml

24-48h · 14 days · Secure payment

★★★★★ Maria Jose Piquer

“Nuevamente todo un acierto el aceite que me habéis aconsejado, un aceite con sabor, olor y paladar exquisitos”

About this oil

Oro del desierto Picual is an extra virgin olive oil of the variety Picual, produced in Almería, crafted by Oro del Desierto.

It has been recognised with 2 international awards.

Sensory profile

Sensory star crafted by Mercedes Uceda. With every order from Molino & Cata you receive a printed copy of this tasting sheet.

Tasting notes

On the nose, an intense aroma of olive leaf with hints of green apple, green almond and banana peel, finishing with a touch of black pepper. On the palate, it enters with a slight sweetness that quickly gives way to medium bitterness and pungency. The flavours recall rocket and green walnut.

Pairing

An extra virgin olive oil ideal for pairing with intensely flavoured dishes, potato- or pasta-based salads, and for adding an exciting twist to desserts featuring dark chocolate.

Mercedes' expert opinion

The Picual from the desert is unlike any other Picual I know. The lack of water concentrates the aromas in a remarkable way: the olive leaf, the green apple, that black pepper at the finish that leaves your mouth alive. The Alonso family has been producing for three generations under conditions many would consider impossible, and the result is an oil that teaches us that when the olive tree struggles, it rises to the occasion.

Mercedes Uceda
Co-founder · Professional taster

Know every detail

All about Oro del desierto Picual

Technical sheet

2 2 awards

Variedad Picual

Productor Oro del Desierto

Origen Almería

Categoría aove

Product information

Alérgenos No contiene

Conservación Lugar fresco y seco, protegido de luz y calor

Processing

Ingredientes 100% zumo de aceituna (Picual)

Extracción Procedimientos mecánicos; Tª < 27 °C

Envase Vidrio oscuro

Producer · Food operator

Oro del Desierto

Almería

orodeldesierto.com

Tabernas, Almería

Reviews

5.0

1 review

Read all reviews →

Behind Oro del Desierto is the Alonso family, three generations producing olive oil in the Tabernas desert, Almeria. Their estate, El Vicario, spans 130 hectares with 36,000 olive trees in the most arid climate in Europe: less than 180 mm of rainfall per year and over 3,000 hours of sunshine. Conditions that force the olive tree to concentrate everything it has into the fruit. The estate has held organic certification since its founding in 1999. No herbicides, no pesticides, no shortcuts. The Picual from the desert is nothing like the Picual from Jaen: same DNA, entirely different result. The extreme water stress produces fewer olives but far more concentrated ones. Early harvest, milled the same day. Gold at NYIOOC 2023, 2024 and 2025 -- three consecutive years at the world's largest olive oil competition. Oro del Desierto has accumulated over 250 international awards and was recognised as Spain's most sustainable olive grove in 2023. The Flos Olei guide awarded it 99/100.

Why it's in Molino & Cata

This is the Picual we place alongside other Picuals in our tastings to prove that terroir changes everything. Same DNA, completely different result. Three consecutive Golds in New York don't lie. When a customer wants to understand what terroir means in olive oil, we reach for this one.

Technical information

Nutritional information

Per 100 ml

Nutritional information
Energy	3389 kJ / 824 kcal
Fat	91.6 g
of which saturates	14.2 g
Carbohydrate	0 g
of which sugars	0 g
Protein	0 g
Salt	0 g

Average EVOO values. Check the label for exact values.

Traceability

Lot data currently in our warehouse.

Lot in stock

DES-PIC-VID-500

Net quantity

500 ml

This information is mandatory under EU Regulation 1169/2011 on food information to consumers.

Extra virgin olive oil is a fresh product. Its quality depends on proper storage and consuming it within its optimal date. If an online shop does not tell you which lot it will ship or when it expires, you have no way of knowing if what you receive is from this harvest or two years ago.

Be wary of shops that do not publish this information. We show it because we believe you have the right to know exactly what you are buying.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Picual from Tabernas taste the same as one from Jaén?

No. Same DNA, different result. The Tabernas desert gets less than 180 mm of rain a year — the olive tree produces fewer olives but more concentrated ones. The profile is more intense on the nose and has a more defined pungency than a standard Jaén Picual.

Why is this oil bitter and pungent?

Because it has a high concentration of polyphenols, particularly oleocanthal (responsible for pungency) and oleuropein (responsible for bitterness). These are natural antioxidants with proven anti-inflammatory effects. A Picual without bitterness or pungency would be a late-harvest Picual — a completely different product.

Can I fry with Picual?

Yes. Picual has the highest oxidative stability of all olive varieties, making it the best oil for frying. It withstands high temperatures without degrading. But if you are paying for an organic, early-harvest Picual, using it for frying is a waste. Use it raw and fry with a lower-grade oil.

What does Gold at the NYIOOC mean?

The NYIOOC (New York International Olive Oil Competition) is the largest and most prestigious olive oil competition in the world. Thousands of samples from over 30 countries. Oils are tasted blind by certified panels. A Gold means the oil exceeded the standards of excellence. Oro del Desierto Picual has won it three consecutive years (2023–2025).

How long does it last once opened?

Under optimal conditions (darkness, 15–20 °C), between 6 and 12 months. But ideally consume it within 4–6 weeks of opening to enjoy it at its best. Polyphenols degrade with exposure to air.

What makes it organic?

EU certification issued by CAAE. The El Vicario estate has operated without synthetic pesticides or herbicides since 1999. It is audited annually. The soil is cared for with cover crops, pruning waste is composted back in, and the water comes from a sustainably managed aquifer.

5.0

1 review

Transparency policy. We publish every review we receive, including those we disagree with — and some are a little unfair.

All reviews correspond to verified purchases through JudgeMe, an independent review platform. We do not fabricate, filter or edit them.

What our customers say

Maria Jose Piquer Verified

February 05, 2026

Another perfect recommendation

Once again, the oil you recommended was spot on: wonderful flavour, aroma and finish.

Keep exploring

Olive oil tasting at the Molino & Cata oleoteca

Experiences

Learn to taste this oil

Book a guided tasting with Mercedes Uceda at our oleoteca in Granada and discover the sensory attributes of extra virgin olive oil: fruity, bitter and spicy.

Book a tasting →

Training