Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1478015
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 4 SEPTEMBER 2022 7 CULTURE Taste the journey of Bidni olive oil The Branch to Bottle event at Mediterranean Culinary Academy explores what it takes to cultivate, harvest and produce Bidni extra virgin olive oil THE Mediterranean Culinary Academy has launched this year's edition of its popular Branch to Bottle event set in Wardija – and some dates have already sold out. Through the event, partici- pants take a journey behind the scenes of Bidni olive oil, to dis- cover what it takes to cultivate, harvest and produce this great quality, endemic extra virgin ol- ive oil. Produced from the small, vi- olet 'Bidni' olive variety, found only on the Maltese Islands on the endemic Bidni olive trees, Bidni extra virgin olive oil brings a uniquely spicy, aromatic and fruity flavour, finished with a peppery bite. Together with the Grima fam- ily that owns the Bidni olive groves, the Mediterranean Cu- linary Academy produces only a limited amount of this monova- rietal and uniquely Maltese olive oil each year, welcoming a select number of guests to take part in the process through its annual Branch to Bottle event. "Join us for the most exciting time of the year, when we create fresh Bidni extra virgin olive oil," says Mediterranean Culinary Academy Founder and CEO, Kurt Mifsud. "The Academy has proudly overseen the development of Bidni olive oil, and today we use it across all our cooking classes as an excellent example of the quality, sustainably sourced pro- duce and ingredients available in Malta. We can't wait to make and taste the next batch of Bid- ni with you." Participants will enjoy a tour of the Bidni olive grove in Wardija, in which they discover the process of harvest- ing the olives. Following an olive oil comparative taste-testing as well as a tasting session of other local products by Merill, the har- vesting experience will come to a festive close with a sunset din- ner in the olive grove. This will consist of a three-course meal of locally sourced produce accom- panied by the Bidni olive oil and paired with carefully selected lo- cal wines. This year's Branch to Bottle event is set to take place from 5pm on September 30 and Octo- ber 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9. However, only four of these event dates still have places available, with October 1 and 8 already fully booked. To book your place on the Branch to Bottle event at just €80 per person for the full experience, visit https://www.mcamalta. com/bidni.