Mission
Olive(Olea Europea)
A dual-purpose cultivar developed in California from trees brought by Spanish missionaries along El Camino Real in the late 18th century, historically the dominant California olive and still valued for cold hardiness.
Flavor Profile
Oil shows green notes of pine and mint with a soft, buttery ripe character; the fruit is used both for black table olives and for late-harvest oil.
Visual Characteristics
Tall, vigorous tree with an erect habit reaching 40-50 feet; small fruit (about 4 grams) that ripens from green to black, with the lowest flesh-to-pit ratio of California's commercial cultivars.
Growing Tips
Late ripening; harvested late October-November for table use and mid-December into February for late-harvest oils; its cold tolerance suits it to marginal, cooler olive regions.
Resistance Information
Disease Resistance
The most cold-hardy of California's commercial cultivars, but susceptible to peacock spot and olive knot, and susceptible to verticillium and olive fly.
Where to Buy
Sourcing information coming soon. Check local nurseries and seed banks for availability.