Nabali Olive

Nabali olive
Olive (Olea europaea)
Color of the ripe fruit	Green
Origin	Palestine
Use	Oil and table
Oil content	High

The Nabali olive is one of the distinguished varieties of olives cultivated in Palestine and the Levant. It is considered one of the oldest and most renowned types, widely spread across Palestinian and Jordanian lands. ^{[1] [2]}

Etymology

The name is attributed either to the town of Bir Nabala in the Jerusalem area or to the city of Nablus in Palestine. ^{[3] [4]}

Distribution

It has long been widely cultivated in the West Bank, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. The name "Nabali" reflects its geographic and cultural heritage. ^[5]

Types of Nabali Olive

• Improved Nabali (Nabali Mohassan):

Developed to enhance yield and withstand climatic conditions, this variety produces abundant crops and contains a high oil content. ^[6]

• Local Nabali (Nabali Baladi):

This is the traditional type of Nabali olive, also known in some areas as "Roman Olive." The tree is large and long-lived, typically growing in mountainous regions. ^[7]

Characteristics and Uses

• The Nabali olive is known for its dual-purpose use—it can be harvested either for olive oil production or as a table olive.
• It is picked in September for use as green table olives, and in November, once fully ripe, for olive oil extraction.
• The oil content in the Nabali olive is around 23%.

• 

  Green Local Nabali Olives Prepared for Table Use and Pickling

  The tree is drought-resistant and capable of growing in harsh environments. ^[8]

See also

• List of olive cultivars
• Olive cultivation in Palestine
• Olive

References

1. "Nabali olive - Arca del Gusto". Slow Food Foundation. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
2. الزيتون, طبيب (2023-12-18). أصناف شجرة الزيتون في الأردن. 🫒 روريز : المزارع العربي (in Arabic). Retrieved 2025-09-11.
3. "Nabali Olive Oil". Canaan Palestine. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
4. عاصي, عمر. رحلة تاريخية في أرض الزيتون من الرامة إلى بيت جالا. MA'AN Development Center. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
5. https://info.wafa.ps/pages/details/32269
6. "Nabali Baladi". World catalogue of olive varieties. Retrieved 2025-09-11.
7. الزيتون في الأردن.. مونة للبيت وثروة. الجزيرة نت (in Arabic). Retrieved 2025-09-11.
8. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/272202718_Reproductive_biology_of_the_olive_Olea_europaea_L_cultivar_'Nabali_Baladi'