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Island Markets Oil Processing.

At Tasmania's  latest indoor market is a modern Enorossi hammermill olive oil processing facility, which in season allows market patrons to view the oil extraction process. The machine operates what is known as a three phase system, wherein the oil, fruit water and waste pulp exit from separate outlets in the decanter. Most modern extraction systems in Australia operate on a two phase system, separating the pulp and fruit water together.

'The Olive Groves of Tasmania' the state's largest, operates the oil processing facility for it's own fruit. The fruit enters the range in a hopper and a controlled feed auger elevates it into a deleafer and washer. It is essential that most of the leaves are removed here as their presence can make the resultant oil too bitter.

Subsequently, the fruit enters another hopper and again is elevated at a controlled rate into a stainless steel hammermill, which crushes fruit flesh, skin and pits through a rotating mesh. The mashed fruit then enters one of two tanks, which are encased and heated by a water jacket at a controlled temperate. A horizontal blade gently rotates through the mash for approximately 45 minutes.

This process is known as the malaxation stage. It's function is to use gentle mechanical friction to release oil from within cells in the pulps structure. This is a critical process as too much kneading, too much temperature and too much air can degrade the nutritious qualities of the oil. Conversely, too little temperature or kneading can result in insufficient oil release.

The fruit mash is then pumped to a horizontal centrifugal decanter which extracts oil, fruit water and waste pulp from 3 outlets. The out-flowing oil is usually green or golden. The former is due to the effects of chlorophyll from unripe fruit skin. This fresh oil holds very fine fruit solids in suspension, which need to be filtered and/or allowed to settle, then decanted.

The machine has the capacity to crush 1000kg/hr of olives, malax 2 x300kg/hr, and decant 400kg/hr. The units for the machine are modular, thus allowing for later additions to suit increased olive tonnages.

The oil then needs to be kept in a dark, cool place with minimum exposure to air. Anyone of these factors can over time, degrade the oil.  Persons with a knowledge of olive oil will avoid purchasing oil in clear glass bottles. When these are displayed under fluorescent lights on a store shelf, the light will eventually ruin the oil. We recommend that you never buy any oil from window displays receiving direct sunlight.

Many Tasmanian olive growers have enrolled in a fruit sampling project, organised by the Tasmanian Olive Council, to find out the optimum yield of oil in their varieties. This involves progressively sending a small quantity of fruit in an overnight mail bag to a testing authority at two week intervals. Finding the appropriate harvest time for olive varieties in the varying localities avoids disappointment of low oil percentages after processing.

Most growers have more than one variety in their grove and these can have differing ripening times. Table fruit varieties usually ripen earlier but have low yields of oil. Growers need to be aware of this, and progressively harvest their crop when other higher yielding varieties ripen three to four weeks later.

Most of the fresh oil from The Olive Groves of Tasmania is then sold in the market.

'Island Markets' has over 70 stall sites available for fine crafts, new and used products and fresh produce. They also sell meat and fresh (even live) seafood, including abalone and rock lobster and many other local scale and shellfish delights.   These and other gourmet food items are complemented by Tasmanian wine and extra virgin olive oil.

The market has ample free parking and is open from 10-00 am to 4-00 pm every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Easter and Xmas excepted). All this and only 6 minutes drive from the centre of Hobart.

They are located at 54-56 Gormanston Rd, Moonah, Hobart. (The access lane is alongside 'Fantastic Furniture'). For more information phone +61 03 6273 7919

or refer to www.islandmarkets.com.au