JAÉN, GOLDEN EARTH
Jaén, located in the Spanish region of Andalusia, enjoys the uniqueness of having sixty six million olive trees (66M), and is a world reference in the production of extraordinary high quality EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Jaén feels deeply proud of leading the olive oil sector in Spain, as important and strategic as healthy and sustainable, especially considering the current global trend that fortunately is increasingly inclined towards a healthy lifestyle inclusive of the habits of consumption of a balanced and healthy diet.
Few other economic sectors hold more potential for growth, development and expansion still ahead, at a global level, than the olive oil sector, being Jaén’s olive juice more precious than liquid gold.
The Deputation of Jaén has been working tirelessly for years in order to promote its EVOO at international level and make the world know more about the valuable virtues and properties of Jaén’s Ultra Fine olive juice.
Today, Jaén’s EVOO is widely recognized and highly appreciated as a global benchmark of extraordinary quality among the most formidable experts and prominent figures of the finest Avant-Garde gastronomy at international level, as the best selection among the best Extra Virgin Olive Oils in the World.
«JAÉN SELECCIÓN»
THE VANGUARD OF THE BEST EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
Its range of colors of intense greens, its scents, full of nuances; Its taste, with suggestive and deep flavours, invite you to taste a product of excellence, capable of improving any dish and a true essential in the Mediterranean Diet, an Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
It is extra virgin olive oil, the liquid gold that emanates from a sea of olive trees that outlines the horizon of Jaén, the Spanish province that cannot be understood without the ancient culture of oil and olive groves.
The province of Jaén is the largest producer of olive oil in the world. Around 20% of the olive oil produced throughout the planet is extracted from Jaén more than 66 million olive trees, which make up a unique landscape candidate to become UNESCO World Heritage.
Along with quantity, the Jaen olive sector has undergone a revolution in recent decades based on its firm commitment to quality and differentiation. To its mechanization and professionalization, a much more important process has been added, the advancement of the beginning of the olive harvest, which favors the obtaining of the so-called early oils, fruity and intense juices, which year after year appear in the international rankings of the best extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) in the world.
In order to increase the value of the extra virgin olive oils with the highest organoleptic quality, encouraging producers to obtain and market oils of extraordinary quality, as well as to improve the image and position in the market of olive oil from Jaén and promote it among consumers, since 2003 the Provincial Council of Jaén chooses through a tasting-contest the eight magnificent EVOOs that receive the Jaén Selección distinction, which certifies their indisputable quality.
A recognition that has been a great incentive for the olive sector of the province to have taken giant steps with excellence as a premise and guarantee for the future.
The perfection of these oils is not an exception in the Jaen countryside, as every year there are more cooperatives and oil mills that produce first-class liquid gold. In fact, the latest edition of the Jaén Selección tasting-contest, whose jury is made up of professionals from the best tasting panels in Spain, registered a high number of participants, with 71 extra virgins presented, including 19 from organic production.
Of all these olive juices are distinguished by their organoleptic qualities, flavor and smell, and that are a true delicacy for the most demanding palates and kitchens.
Beyond its indisputable quality, Jaén Selección oils are an exponent of the healthy, gastronomic and environmental qualities of the best extra virgin.
Scientific studies such as Predimed or Predimed Plus certify the benefits that its consumption has for health, especially with regard to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases or against the development of different cancerous tumors, neurodegenerative or respiratory diseases.
The intake of olive oil improves the quality of life and prolongs it. And if all this were not enough to recommend its consumption, you just have to savor the dishes made with extra virgin olive oil to discover that any recipe improves with this liquid gold.
This is confirmed by chefs of the highest cuisine, restaurants recognized with a Michelin Star, which have incorporated the Jaén Selección into their kitchens.
The “Jaén Selección” seal is a mark of excellence created by the Provincial Council of Jaén to distinguish, with each harvest, the finest extra virgin olive oils of the province.
This recognition celebrates the outstanding quality of a product that stands as a true emblem of Jaén—the world’s leading producer of olive oil.
These oils are chosen through a blind tasting competition, assessed by a panel of leading experts drawn from some of the most prestigious tasting panels in Spain and other countries with a long-standing olive oil tradition.
Once selected, these oils feature prominently in the tourism and agri-food promotion initiatives led by the Provincial Council of Jaén.
They also play a central role in the OleotourJaén tourism strategy, becoming, in essence, the most distinguished ambassadors of the province.
OLEOTOUR JAÉN
Jaén, the world’s leading producer of olive oil, offers visitors an exceptional setting in which to experience oleotourism, with a rich and diverse array of activities centred around the olive grove and its liquid treasure: museums, olive mills, specialised restaurants, rural accommodations, traditional estates, festivals, tastings and curated oil experiences.
Here begins a journey into the very essence of olive culture—an immersive exploration where visitors can discover, firsthand, the entire process of olive oil production: from the cultivation of the groves and the harvesting of the olives in the fields, to their pressing and transformation in the mill, and finally their bottling.
A journey of endless possibilities, designed to turn oleotourism into a truly singular experience—one that lingers long after it has been lived.
OLIVE MILLS
Olive oil production has shaped the landscape of the province across the centuries.
The vast “forest of olive trees” that blankets the territory of Jaén is dotted with distinctive architectural structures devoted to transforming olives into oil.
These are the olive mills.
Today open to visitors, they offer a window into the mechanised process through which the fruit of the olive grove becomes one of the healthiest juices in existence: extra virgin olive oil.
While the industrial activity of the mills is closely tied to the harvest season—during the final quarter of the year and the beginning of the next—many remain open year-round, welcoming visitors eager to discover this essential tradition at any time.
OLIVE OIL GASTRONOMY
Savouring exquisite cuisine crafted with extra virgin olive oil is among the highlights of OleotourJaén. The first discovery awaiting visitors in Jaén is the remarkable diversity of culinary experiences on offer. Here, one can explore countless ways to create outstanding dishes using the finest extra virgin olive oils.
Guests may choose to indulge in the traditional cuisine of Jaén, shaped by generations who have lovingly tended century-old olive trees, or explore the innovative creations of chefs who specialise in the region’s premium oils. Each dish immerses diners in the subtle nuances of the oils, reflecting their origin and sensory profile.
Experience the perfect harmony of fresh local produce, tender lamb, or wild game with Picual extra virgin olive oils—the province’s signature variety and the most widely cultivated in the world—or with oils from rarer olive types.
Jaén presents a curated selection of restaurants serving dishes inspired by the Mediterranean Diet, recognised as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
The Jaén Selección oils represent the very best of each harvest.
JAÉN, TIMELESS BEAUTY
The province of Jaén stands proudly with a rich tapestry of experiences, where oleotourism, gastronomy, and the trail of Iberian Andalucía come together to enchant every visitor.
Jaén is a land of ancient olive groves, where the rhythm of life flows slowly and deliberately, inviting you to savour each moment.
A region steeped in borderland history, where traditions endure and stories linger in every stone and hillside.
Here, local gastronomy celebrates the fruits of the land, and the landscapes—rolling hills, sun-drenched valleys, and endless seas of silver-green olives—rank among the most beautiful in all of Andalucía.
Jaén is not just a destination; it is a sensory journey, an invitation to live the essence of the Mediterranean in its purest, most elegant form.
THE IBERIAN LYNX, JAEN’S MOST ELUSIVE TREASURE
In the sun-dappled forests and olive-covered hills of Jaén, the Iberian lynx, one of the rarest and most enchanting wild cats in the world, finds its home and its sanctuary.
Amidst the quiet of cork and holm oak woodlands, these so precious and elusive creatures reproduce in a delicate dance with nature.
Cubs are born in hidden dens, sheltered beneath thickets and rocks, their first eyes opening to a world of rustling leaves and golden light.
Conservation efforts in Jaén have created a safe haven where the lynx thrives, a living symbol of the province’s commitment to preserving its unique biodiversity.
Witnessing the lynx in its natural habitat is a rare, unforgettable, almost magical encounter, a testament to the harmony between man, land, and wildlife in this extraordinary corner of Andalucía.
THE ESSENCE OF JAÉN
Jaén is a destination that transcends expectation, an emblem of authentic Andalucía where history, landscape, culture and flavour intertwine in perfect harmony.
From the rolling seas of olive trees that have shaped its identity for millennia to cities crowned with Renaissance cathedrals and medieval fortresses, every corner tells a story of heritage and resilience.
Here, the ancient and the contemporary blend seamlessly: olive oil isn’t merely a product, but a living legacy, recognised worldwide for its extraordinary quality and celebrated across Michelin‑starred kitchens and village tables alike.
Gastronomy is a sensory journey through local flavours and delicate nuances of extra virgin olive oil, while oleotourism reveals the very soul of the olive grove—from museum halls and traditional mills to tastings beneath the Andalusian sun.
Jaén’s landscapes extend beyond olive groves to encompass natural wonders, protected parks where the rare Iberian lynx thrives, forests of cork and oak, and rivers that weave through ancient villages.
Its historic towns, UNESCO heritage sites, and tranquil rural retreats all invite travellers to immerse themselves in a region where traditions are alive, life moves at a slower, richer pace, and every experience is an authentic encounter with a land both timeless and unforgettable.
