📜 Istra (olive oil)

Istra is an extra virgin olive oil with a joint Croatian-Slovenian EU protected designation of origin (PDO) from the Istrian peninsula. At least 80% of the oil comes from 18 specified varieties, the fruit is processed within 48 hours, and free fatty acids may not exceed 0.4%. It was registered in 2019.

The varieties include Buža, Istarska bjelica, Frantoio, Leccino, Maurino, Pendolino and Picholine; a single-variety oil needs at least 80% of one variety. Requirements: peroxide value up to 12, fruitiness above 3, bitterness and pungency at least 2, so the oil is pronounced, with a noticeable bitter note.

The fruit is picked from the tree and processed by mechanical means only, below 27 °C, and the oil is stored at 12–20 °C. An early harvest helps avoid frosts and the late generations of the olive fly. The area covers Istria County, part of Primorje-Gorski Kotar County and Slovenian Istria; in the south the averages are about 16 °C and 820 mm of rain. The name grew out of a dispute: in 2017 Croatia agreed to rename its application “Istra” and extend the area to the Slovenian part, and the application was filed jointly. Amphorae found here bear the inscription Olei Histrici, “Istrian oil”.

Why it matters to you. The oil is bottled only within the area, in dark glass or in clear glass with protection from light, and the harvest year is compulsory. The sticker carries the ZOI symbol (Croatian) or the ZOP symbol (Slovenian) with a unique number. Do not confuse it with the separate Slovenian designation “Ekstra deviško oljčno olje Slovenske Istre” from 2007.