This author has yet to write their bio.Meanwhile lets just say that we are proud Kirsty van der Walt contributed a whooping 23 entries.
Cold pressed olive oil is extracted at temperatures below 27 degrees Celsius using mechanical force alone — no heat, no chemical solvents. This single constraint preserves over 90 percent of the antioxidants, polyphenols and volatile flavour compounds that make extra virgin olive oil valuable for both health and cooking. Heat extraction, by contrast, destroys up […]
Prince Albert has more restaurants per resident than almost any town in the Western Cape, and each one draws on the same Karoo pantry: slow-roasted lamb, artisan cheeses from Gay’s Guernsey Dairy, cold pressed olive oil from Swartrivier Farm and seasonal produce from the surrounding valley. From a six-table kitchen that has served the same […]
Most people buy a jar of olive tapenade, spread it on a cracker and stop there. But tapenade — a blend of crushed olives, capers, olive oil and herbs — is one of the most versatile ingredients in a kitchen. It is a pasta sauce, a pizza base, a marinade, a sandwich upgrade and a […]
The Swartberg Pass is a 27-kilometre gravel road that climbs 1,585 metres through one of the most dramatic mountain crossings in South Africa. Built by Thomas Bain between 1881 and 1888 and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it connects Oudtshoorn to Prince Albert in 1.5 hours of driving. This guide covers timing, named stops, […]
Extra virgin olive oil is the one ingredient that turns a good braai marinade into a great one. As a natural emulsifier, it binds herbs, garlic, citrus and spices into a stable coating that locks in moisture and builds flavour — while adding the polyphenols and antioxidants that make it one of the healthiest cooking […]
A Harvard study tracking more than 90,000 people over 28 years found that those who consumed olive oil daily had a 19 percent lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, a 17 percent lower risk of dying from cancer and a 29 percent lower risk of dying from neurodegenerative disease. The health benefits of olive […]
A growing body of evidence suggests that South African extra virgin olive oil is not only fresher and more traceable than many imported alternatives — it may also be more likely to be genuine. With 26 percent of imported olive oils in South Africa failing quality tests for extra virgin classification, local producers are making […]
Up to 70% of imported olive oil fails quality tests. A practical guide to identifying real extra virgin olive oil and why South African cold pressed is the safer choice. Reading time: 6 minutes.
A wood-fired pizza topped with kudu salami, drizzled with farm-pressed extra virgin olive oil, served under the Swartberg Mountains. This is Cafe O at O for Olive in Prince Albert. (5 min read)
A complete guide to driving the Swartberg Pass from Cape Town to Prince Albert — with scenic stops, farm restaurants and olive tastings in the Karoo. Reading time: 6 minutes.
Find Us
Swartrivier Farm is 4 km from Prince Albert on the Kruidfontein Road (turn at the Prince Albert Golf Club and follow the signs).
