In fact Apulia is the largest olive oil producing region of Italy, most of it still produced according to centuries old traditions. September and October are olive harvest months, while production takes place in November. The fat component of the mediterranean diet is contributed mostly by olive oil. However, the fat found in olive oil is of the unsaturated kind which is not the risky kind. On the contrary, a certain percentage of fats is necessary in a healthy diet, the key is to limit it to the unsaturated kind.
Olive oil is the most important ingredient of Apulian cuisine.
It contains less fat and has more nutritional value than other leading oils. The health factor imbedded in the mediterranean diet is directly linked to the exclusive use of olive oil.