When the Bluebird and the Owl take flight
Today I want to tell you about the Fundación El Pájaro Azul – The Bluebird Foundation in English – and the first charity olive oil tasting we held together a couple of months ago on 13th March.
CHAPTER 8. In true Thelma and Louise fashion
It was a summer friendship that helped bring shape to La Cultivada.
I met my friend Laura when we were fourteen, at the place where we both used to spend our summer holidays.
We were introduced by a neighbour; my mother had encouraged me to go out with her instead of staying cooped up in my room, reading for hours as was my wont.
You understand… that strange, in-between phase of adolescence when everything feels so strange.
CHAPTER 7. Time to cultivate ourselves
The olive tree… just looking at one fills you with gratitude.
Here in Santa Ana, we breathe the green soul of trees – olives, pomegranates, figs, palms…
Each olive tree is like a spring with a tiny local climate of its own. It heals. It’s a miraculous medicine of nature.
Woods and forests are humanity’s greatest heritage.
CHAPTER 6. The name that started it all
Before settling in the south, I made an artistic journey, and visited my friend Victoria Bermejo in Barcelona, a writer since dawn, very early, every day in her penthouse in Plaza Tetuan. I was surrounded by artists and illusion but I was missing a name.
Tomato and Bean Pâté
They say you can’t please everyone – in Spanish, it never rains to everyone’s liking.
Rain has always been unwelcome in the city but a blessing in the countryside.
I remember seeing the weather forecasters on TV, faces apologetic and concerned whenever they announced incoming rain: “This weekend, the weather will be bad…”. Without fail, my father would challenge that statement.
Red pepper dip with carrot sticks
A premium extra virgin olive oil is incredibly versatile in the kitchen and it has health benefits.
Today I invite you to try a simple recipe that paired with La Cultivada Picual will pepper things up.
CHAPTER 5. The man who planted trees
Before La Cultivada existed, there was in fact another brand: Cortijo Arbequel.
He didn’t have the patience to take it far, but he did have the patience to plant trees, just like the protagonist in the story by Jean Giono.
And although he may not have seemed like one to the outside world, my father was an artist too.
CHAPTER 4. Channel your inner owl
I had just come back to Spain after living in Brazil, and was reflecting on my new career path.
Following several years surrounded by exotic nature and artistic exuberance, I was now seeing my homeland as leathery bull’s hide…
I wanted to write, but I also needed to earn a living… and I couldn’t figure out how to balance creativity with paying the bills.
CHAPTER 3. Dreams taking flight
I was at La Fábrica, half-asleep, half-dreaming… when a bird appeared. An owl, to be exact. And since I’m nothing if not original (by birthright), I named it Noctua —because why not throw in some Latin (our language’s mother, after all)? Also, because I actually studied Latin back in school (which, as you can tell, means I’m definitely not Gen Z). So Noctua it was—meaning night, the nocturnal bird. Then it turned into Nochuza, until it finally stuck as Lechuza—which, let’s be honest, sounds more like a dairy-free drink…
CHAPTER 2. We have decided not to die
La Cultivada was born from a dream. And I don’t mean symbolically, but literally. One night, while I was sleeping at La Fábrica, the window of secrets opened and there was a bird…
La Fábrica is a beautiful spot in Moratilla de los Meleros, Guadalajara, Spain It used to be a Spanish factory where they made soaps from olive oil.