Buharica (or Vrhbračka, Buvarica, Buhavica) is a local olive variety that has been grown on the eastern side of the island of Brač for more than three hundred years, but which, due to its regular and exceptional yield and the quality of its oil, has recently spread rapidly throughout Dalmatia. It has modest growing requirements and is mainly grown on karst, on the slopes of hillsides – plish, on poor soil that suffers from drought. Prepared by Sinaj Bulimbašić, he writes Olive grove.
Abundance of sturdy leaves
Its crown is medium-sized, round in shape, the trunk is round, the bark is compact, gray in color. The main branches grow at an angle of 40 degrees, and the shoots are tall, upright and lush. It is less sensitive to drought, low temperatures and wind, olive fly and moth, and olive cancer, and is very sensitive to peacock eye.
The crown develops an abundance of firm, dark green, elliptical leaves that bend into a groove, their average length is about 8 cm and they are about 1,5 cm wide.
Bukharica is a self-fertile variety that blooms in late May, while the tassel develops during April and May. Pollen is abundant, as is fertilization. The time from flowering to ripening is about 175 days, and the pollinators are Oblica, Levantinka, Drobnica and Lastovka.
The fruit of Buharica is large, almost round in shape, the average length is about 2,3 cm, the width is 2 cm, and the average weight is about 4,5 grams or 220 fruits per kilogram. Randman is in the phase of optimal ripeness (harvest in mid-October) around 14 percent. The color of the fruit at the beginning of ripening is light green, while at the stage of complete maturity it is uniform and almost black in color. The flesh is firm, dark red to black.
Mild bitterness and spiciness
The pit of the Buharica fruit is asymmetrical, elliptical in shape with a sharp top and a rounded bottom, it is brown in color, grooved, the average weight is about 0,7 grams.
The variety is of mixed use, suitable for preserving both green and black fruits, but it also produces very high-quality oil.
Extra virgin olive oil of the Buharica variety has a mild to medium aroma and taste of olive fruit, fruit, almonds, but also aromatic herbs and the smell of cut grass. The bitterness and spiciness are in a mild harmonious relationship, so it belongs to the category of slightly intense olive oils with a recognizable sweetness of taste. The oil is green to golden in color and has a high antioxidant content.
In gastronomy, this oil is recommended as a seasoning for all types of green salads, and it pairs well with boiled and baked fish, savoy cabbage, but also with other vegetables and baked meat. It is especially excellent when serving young goat and sheep cheeses, as well as canned fish and marinades.
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Source: Olive grove
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