Table olives: cultivars, region and identity 107 Figure 2 – Examples of centuries-old olive trees and fruits from different traditional cultivars forming part of the olive-growing heritage of the Trás-os-Montes region, currently undergoing morphological, physico-chemical and genetic characterisation biodiversity, the protection of the landscape and the preservation of ancestral cultural practices associated with olive cultivation and the production of olive oil and table olives. At the same time, the growing demand for authentic and distinctive products has created economic incentives for the enhancement of these olive groves, particularly in the gourmet sector and more discerning markets. The sustainable management of traditional olive groves may also favour production systems better suited to the small-scale farming reality characteristic of the region, promoting the enhancement of local products and the creation of new sources of income. In this context, rural tourism linked to olive groves, incorporating activities related to production, processing and gastronomy, could play a significant role in the sustainable development of the most disadvantaged rural areas. Thus, the preservation and enhancement of traditional olive cultivation are seen not only as a means of protecting the natural and cultural heritage of Trás-os-Montes, but also as a strategy capable of strengthening the regional economy and affirming the identity of Portuguese olive oils. To this end, over the last five years, intensive work has been carried out to survey and study the region’s olive-growing heritage, involving the morphological, physico-chemical and genetic characterisation of numerous specimens. Figure 2 shows some examples of this olive-growing heritage currently undergoing characterisation.
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