The harvest date in food, oil, or wine refers to when the fruit or grapes were picked and processed.
For olive oil, the harvest date indicates when the olives were picked from the trees. It’s a better indicator of the oil’s age than the best by date, which is calculated by the producer based on how long the oil will last under ideal storage conditions. Ideally, olive oil should be purchased within 12 to 18 months of its harvest date and used within six months of opening.
For wine, the harvest season begins when grapes start to change color and are picked. The harvest season in the Pacific Northwest typically runs from late August through November.
The olive harvest takes place in different months depending on the hemisphere:
- Northern Hemisphere: October through January
- Southern Hemisphere: April through July
Sources:
https://www.aboutoliveoil.org/olive-oil-harvest-date-vs-best-by-date
https://weolive.com/shreveport/news/how-to-keep-your-olive-oil-fresh-extend-the-shelf-life/
https://lakechelanwinevalley.com/understanding-the-ins-outs-of-wine-harvest-season/
https://www.oliveoiltimes.com/faq/what-months-are-olives-harvested
