Aceite Montes de Granada

Extra virgin olive oil produced from Picual, Lucio, and Loaime as principal varieties, grown in the northern montes of Granada, Spain. The designation is defined by high-altitude cultivation, extreme autumn-winter temperatures that slow fruit ripening, and a resulting lipid profile characterised by high oleic acid content and a high monounsaturated to polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio.

About this designation

Montes de Granada is a PDO covering extra virgin olive oil obtained from healthy, ripe fruit of Olea europaea. The principal varieties are Picual, Lucio, and Loaime; secondary varieties are also permitted under the specification. The production area, as amended, encompasses municipalities in the northern montes of Granada, the Sierra Arana region, and the Altiplano de Granada, including Guadix, Baza, Huéscar, and a further 22 municipalities added by the amendment published in the Official Journal on 22 June 2013. Average altitude in much of the area exceeds 900 m. The specification requires early harvesting to avoid winter frosts, and pruning techniques designed to maintain a maximum leaf-to-wood ratio. The oils must exhibit a fruity aroma and taste of green or ripe fruit at a fruity median of 3 or above, an oleic acid content over 80 %, a monounsaturated to polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio of 12 to 20, low acidity, and a colour ranging from bright green to greenish yellow. The Consejo Regulador de la DOP «Montes de Granada» is the applicant body. The designation is registered under file number PDO-ES-0169 and carries the eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013485. A 2013 amendment lifted the requirement that the product be packed at the point of production, provided traceability measures are in place.

Source: The register document this entry was written from · retrieved August 26, 2026

Distinctive facts

• Registered as a PDO under file number PDO-ES-0169, with EU protection granted on 22 June 2005; eAmbrosia identifier EUGI00000013485.
• The specification requires a fruity median of 3 or above and an oleic acid content exceeding 80 %, reaching up to 83 %.
• The monounsaturated to polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio is specified at 12 to 20, one of the highest recorded for any virgin olive oil.
• A 2013 amendment extended the production area to include 22 additional municipalities across the Sierra Arana region and the Altiplano de Granada.

Tasting notes

Andalusian EVOO from Granada province (Montes area), Picual and Hojiblanca. Medium-intense fruity.

HoReCa use

Andalusian regional cuisine.

Packaging

• glass-bottle-500ml
• tin-3L

Seasonality