Volume I · Scene 25 of 30
When should we harvest?
The story
‘Tomorrow?’ Leo asks as soon as he arrives. The grower understands: Leo wants to know when the harvest will begin. First, the grower looks at the fruit, checks its condition and considers the weather forecast. ‘We choose a time suited to these olives and the oil we want to make. Waiting longer does not always mean better oil.’ ‘Will we always get more oil, then?’ asks Leo. Curiosone continues the grower’s explanation. ‘No.
The amount depends on the variety, the water in the fruit and how it is processed. Waiting longer does not make the amount grow for ever.’ Very ripe olives can be more delicate. That is another reason to protect them and take them promptly to the olive mill. Rumo closes the big calendar he brought. A date alone does not answer every question. Tila asks when they can safely return. Sami notes the agreed day. Ada adds an empty crate to the map. This time, waiting does not mean forgetting. It means carefully preparing for the next step.
Let’s talk about it
How do people decide when to harvest olives?
One possible answer
The grower looks at ripeness, the fruit’s condition, its variety and the conditions at the time. There is no single date that suits every olive grove. The decision is not just about getting the most oil. Healthy fruit and the kind of oil wanted matter too.
A little activity
Our notebook — Draw three things to look at before harvesting: olives, the tree and the sky. An adult can write your questions beside them.