Asturian nut oil producers
High quality food production project.
The walnut oil extraction laboratory is currently operational. Thanks to its nutritional properties, walnut oil can be considered a superfood.
Its health benefits stem from the high levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Suitable for both vegetarian and vegan diets alike, the walnut has for a long time been overlooked.
This is a nut that, in bygone days, helped rural populations through times of scarcity. Each farm had several specimens planted and no one would have dreamed of cutting down these majestic trees for their wood.
One of the aims of our project is to revalorise the walnut tree and promote local microeconomics involving small producers in the area; generally, here in Asturias, they are elderly people with a true wealth of knowledge.
We choose the origin of the walnuts used in the production process with great care and use only Asturian nuts from the region of Villaviciosa, a variety smaller than others found on the market, but with superior organoleptic characteristics.?
THE FARM (La finca)
Located in a privileged environment, 2 km from Villaviciosa (Asturias) and with a production area of 1 hectare.
It is currently in the conditioning process, with the aim to provide food autonomy to small family groups with baskets of produce delivered on a weekly basis.
The work under way includes the construction of a rainwater collection system, alongside a small pond.
The aim is to use any excess rain water, while creating a refuge for native species, thereby maintaining the land’s biodiversity and allowing us to farm in an environmentally-friendly manner.
We are currently working on the preparation of the future orchard and the planting of walnut trees.
HISTORY OF WALNUT OIL
Walnut oil is an edible oil that was highly prized and appreciated in the northern part of Italy and in the mountain regions of central Europe where olive trees were not present.
One of the oldest records of the culinary use of walnut oil dates back to the 16th century in Switzerland.
In it, two methods of oil production are described: cold-pressed for the nobles, in smaller quantities, and hot-pressed, for the lower social classes and for the pharmacopoeia, in larger amounts.
Hot extraction provided greater yields, but at the expense of some nutritional properties that were lost during processing. That is why we exclusively use the cold-pressed extraction method.
In the 20th century, the consumption of walnut oil was drastically reduced due to the popularisation of butter and margarine, which are cheaper but detrimental to health.
Since the recent inclusion of nuts in the food pyramid, the rediscovery of seed oils combined with a growing gastronomic interest and a heightened awareness about healthy eating habits, walnut oil is enjoying something of a renaissance.?
OUR ASTURIAN WALNUT OIL
Production method and sustainability
Our walnut oil is obtained from cold-pressed Asturian walnuts in the town of Villaviciosa.
Our intention is to contribute to promote a native tree that helped to improve the livelihood of past generations, not forgetting that the locality of Camoca, in the parish of Villaviciosa, celebrates an annual festival dedicated to the walnut, dating back to the 17th century.
To obtain this product we have developed a manual press, to ensure that 100% of the organoleptic characteristics and other properties of the walnut are retained, in particular the polyunsaturated fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6 contained in our oil, as certified by the analyses carried out by Consal, (consultants for food safety), whose results are attached.
The cold-pressing extraction method plays an essential role in offering a superior-quality product, a quality that remains unaltered due to its preservation in dark glass bottles which hinder the oxidation of the oil.
It is also worth mentioning that walnut flour, ideal for baking, is obtained as a by-product.
Factors such as the proximity of the raw material (favouring the microeconomics of small farm holdings), the fact that this is a zero-waste project—the shells are used for fuel or as a vegetative ground cover—and the manual production process, are all consistent with those of a sustainable project.
NUTRITIONAL PROPERTIES
A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids helps to prevent heart, neurodegenerative and cerebrovascular disease by reducing cholesterol and triglyceride levels, improving the elasticity of the blood vessels and preventing the accumulation of harmful fatty deposits in the arterial walls.
Research carried out by the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona and Loma Linda University (United States) indicates that the daily consumption of walnuts may contribute to healthy ageing, since it reduces the risk of developing tumours, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, as well as positively impacting blood cholesterol levels without adverse effects on body weight.
According to recent research, carried out at the University of Texas and published in Nutrition journal, walnuts also contain melatonin, a hormone known primarily for its positive effects on sleep.
This hormone improves our ability to resist oxidative stress caused by free radicals.
Walnut oil contains high levels of linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid—which is difficult to find in other foods. In addition, it is rich in phytosterols, vitamin E and other antioxidants, making walnut oil a great cell regenerator, with anti-ageing and skin toning properties.
Hippocratess, the father of modern medicine, said 25 centuries ago: “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”.
COOKING WITH EL BOTICARIO
The cold-pressed walnut oil, with its intense yellow colour and pleasant aroma, has a delicate nutty taste and a sweet aftertaste that accentuates the flavour of salads, vegetables, grilled meat, legumes, rice, carpaccios, fish and cheeses, favouring greater creativity in the preparation of both sweet and savoury dishes.
We recommend using the walnut oil without the use of heat to avoid any loss of nutritional properties or taste. We also recommend that you shake the bottle before use.
HOW TO BUY
Our oil is pressed using traditional artisan methods—making it difficult to produce in large quantities—so we produce on demand.
If you would like to purchase our walnut oil, please contact us and we will arrange a pressing just for you. In this way, you can be assured of an exclusive and superior quality product.
Our walnut oil is available in 100 ml, 250 ml and 500 ml bottles.
