Many secular olive trees that are located in the hills of the territory of the municipality of Chiusi are plants of “Minuta di Chiusi”. This is the name of a species of olive tree, grown in the Chiusino territory, which testifies the incredible resistance of the cultivar to pathogens and extreme climatic conditions, such as frost.
The Minuta of Chiusi is a plant with low susceptibility to risk factors, its fruit is small and circular, it has an organoleptic profile of considerable complexity and agreeability, boasts an high percentual of polyphenols, which helps in the preservation of the product protecting it from oxidation processes, and which brings significant health benefits. However, with the small size of the fruit the oil yield is less than 10%, a very low percentual that makes this production very important but with a high quality. The resulting EVO is fruity and with a high level of polyphenols with a pleasant aroma, which depending on the harvest period is thistle, almond, wild herbs and berries.
The EVO of minuta is perfect for seasoning the typical dishes of Chiusi such as pici with crumbs, Chianina meat, and the brustico of lake fish, without forgetting the classic and simple bruschetta with Tuscan bread.
The presence of centuries-old olive trees immediately make one think of a plant already present in the Etruscan period, in fact the “Chiusina” production of oil, as well as wine is testified in a well-known episode, reported by Dionysius of Halicarnassus, that sees protagonist Arunte who would bring to the Celts “many bottles of wine and oil”. The existence in Chiusi of “Etruscan-Corinthian ceramic workshops, also dedicated to the production of small balsams containing fragrant essences based on oil” (M. Turchetti), can constitute an indirect proof, between the end of the VII and first half of the VI sec. a.c., of the presence of local olive growing.
