Azada – Olive Oil from Spain
Azada was founded in 2009 in the Spanish province of Tarragona by a Spaniard and a German with the goal of bringing the taste of Spain to the plate. Azada produces extra virgin olive oil from the native Arbequina olive – pure or flavored with garlic, basil, lemon, orange, or chili. No artificial flavors are added; instead, ingredients like fresh lemons are pressed directly together with the olives. A good piece of Spain for your dish.
The Story Behind Azada
"Azada was born in early 2009, inspired by memories of my childhood," says Kevin Forssmann, one of Azada's founders. In the 70s, his father bought an abandoned property in Tivissa in the Spanish province of Tarragona. On the property was a small house surrounded by almond and hazelnut fields that had long lost their yield. Kevin's father dreamed of restoring the property and returning to traditional harvesting methods.
Initially, they only used a hoe, which means Azada in Spanish, to cultivate the fields. In the following years, Kevin's family bought over 20 more hectares, which included hazelnut, cherry, and olive trees. Even a small vineyard, where they harvested their own grapes and produced wine, was part of it. Kevin earned his pocket money by selling the products to the local cooperative. Then he went out into the world and pursued his professional career until he missed rural life so much that he returned to his roots in 2009 to found Azada with his friend Josep Maria Mallafre.
