THE VALUE OF A UNIQUE JEWEL
The outstanding Extra Virgin Olive Oil quality of Kilkai is achieved by seeking perfection on every single step of its elaboration process. Using the most modern agricultural techniques, such as soil mappings, high density planting schemes and modern irrigation systems, combined with a state-of-the-art Westfalia processing plant facility, we are able to attain the highest quality standards worldwide.
The consulting experience brought by one of the most experienced man on the Extra Virgin Olive Oil world is also crucial. Our Italian consulting “assagiador”, Marino Giorgetti, tastes and blends our best monovarietal oils to achieve a unique world class Kilkai.
With the same devotion and carefulness a Mapuche silversmith dedicates to the confection of his precious Kilkai, we devote ourselves on making from this Extra Virgin Olive Oil a precious jewel, elaborating it in such a perfect way that can be baptized with a name of such important relevance on the Mapuche spiritual world.
THE VALUE OF A JEWEL ON A UNIQUE OLIVE OIL
Our main estate site was chosen because of its great soils and optimal Mediterranean climate. Located 200 kms south of Santiago (Latitude: 35° south), our estate have soils that allows olive trees to have the right amount of nutrients and water availability. We also put extra care on choosing the best plant material, matching soil and climate with the most appropriate varieties/clones so that each one of them could reach great tipicity. In addition to this, our Mediterranean climate (long and dry summers) allow olives to reach their maximum expression, which results in a unique oil with a strong character. All these factors enable us to deliver a product of high quality, a jewel that truly reflects its sense of origin and taste.
KILKAI Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Kilkai (pectoral jewel): This beautiful silver jewel with small discs, goes over the chest supported by two silver brooch / clasp-pins (katawe o tupv), one on each shoulder. It contains fine sculpts which generally represents birds, seeds and flowers, apart from other designs proper from nature.
THE VALUE OF A JEWEL ON A UNIQUE OLIVE OIL OUR PRODUCT
Kilkai makes reference to one of the most valued jewel of the Mapuche - “Mapu”: Land, “Che”: People – natives from the Central-South territory of Chile. This superb Extra Virgin olive Oil is obtained by cold extraction immediately after its harvesting. It has fresh and fruity aromas with light to medium intensity, with a delicate touch of herbs and almonds. Its flavor combines a soft bitterness with a light spiciness complemented by equilibrated sweet notes. From a Southern country of the world, a land of millenarian waters and pure Andean winds, Kilkai appeared to transcend, captivating on a daily basis from the most inexperienced to the most knowledgeable palates of the world.
FROM CURICÓ VALLEY TO THE WORLD
Besides having privileged phytosanitary conditions, Chile is one of the very few countries in the world free of the feared “Olive Fly” (Bactrocera Oleae). With an endless coast, a matchless arid desert, channels, Patagonian fiords and the Andean range, this precious land takes shelter inside these enormous natural boundaries which keep all plagues and diseases away, having as a result a real paradise for the olive oil production.
Particularly the Curicó Valley, with stressed seasons during the year, heavy rains on winter and hot, dry and sunny summers, maintains a perfect climate which delivers an incomparable quality to the very first Extra Virgin Olive Oil of the calendar year.
MERKÉN OLIVE OIL
Merkén (Merquén) is a unique seasoning, coming on its origins from the Mapuche culinary culture in Chile. Its elaboration begins with Cow Horn chili Pepper, which is harvested un-ripe and left to sun dried until they become red colored. Then, these are smoked for around half an hour and hung from the ceiling in wicker baskets directly over a wood-fire. After all this process the Cow Horn chili Pepper is finally ground with a stoner mortar and mixed with lightly smoked coriander seeds and sea salt. The result: A unique seasoning, high intensity and strong spiciness that when combined with our Extra Virgin Olive Oil Kilkai give us the perfect partner for an unlimited number of plates.
THE VALUE OF A UNIQUE JEWEL
The Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the most important ingredient of the Mediterranean Diet and it has been corroborated to be highly beneficial or health.
ON THE PLATE/COURSE
On the plate, the aromas and flavors of Kilkai combines themselves perfectly with a wide variety of food. From starters to desserts Kilkai helps to enhance food flavors’, highlighting each dish attributes, but always maintaining the balance between food and olive oil so that each component plays a key role in the culinary experience.
IN THE KITCHEN
Somewhere there is a myth that someone is not allow to fry with Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This is a mistake; Extra Virgin Olive Oil is when frying the most stable among vegetable fats. Its smoke point is of 180°, much higher than the conventional seed oil, allowing to fry without decomposing any molecules or generating any toxic reactions. Frying forms a thin and consistent layer around the food, that protects it from absorbing more oil and enables it to retain all the juices and flavors proper within food. In other words, the food will end up being much healthier and more flavored than using any other type of oil.