Coratina Olive Tree is an Italian olive variety that produces wonderful, small, fleshy fruits with a small pit. The olives are known for their intense flavour, which can be robust, peppery, and slightly bitter. They are very attractive, with multi-tones of green, yellow, red, and burgundy. Fruit is late-ripening and can be picked "green" for brining and eating, or left to develop black tips to harvest for bold oil. In order to increase fruit production, Coratina Olive Tree requires 200 - 300 chill hours (or 200 – 300 hours with temperature below 10 °C). The Oil from this fruit is of the highest quality. It is high in polyphenols, which gives its extra-virgin olive oil exceptional oxidation stability. Its aroma can include notes of flowers, herbs, grass, artichoke, mint, and cinnamon; and the flavour is fruity, tangy, and bitter, with notes of herbs, flowers, and spice. Olea europaea 'Coratina' is considered a rustic varietal olive tree with moderate vigour and a nice, naturally dense and upright growth habit. Foliage is an attractive blue-green. As with most olive trees, regular pruning will encourage an even thicker canopy to form. Plants begin producing fruits even when young, and maintain high, constant levels of fruiting. Requires a good pollinator. We suggest planting 'Frantoio', and 'Leccino' nearby. Coratina Olive plant makes an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with full sun and regular - occasional water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. A good varietal option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, salt, and wind tolerant. While adaptable to a range of growing conditions, it is not very cold-resistant. Coratina Olive Trees are moderately hardy (zone 8a or -12 °C). Grow them in containers in order to leave them outdoors in full sun during the warm season and bring them back indoors during the coldest months.
