Burqa Rumi Cold Pressed: peppery warmth [Harvest 2025]

750ml ( 25.4 fl oz) | Cold-pressed in steel drums

A structured, deeply expressive Rumi olive oil from the village of Burqa, produced from centuries-old trees native to this land. Rumi is one of Palestine’s oldest cultivars — known for its balance, depth, and steady peppery warmth. This harvest offers layers of green almond, wild herbs, and a grounded earthiness, shaped by highland soil and dry summer winds.

Aroma: Green almond and fresh-cut grass
Palate: Herbaceous, structured, and balanced
Finish: Lingering pepper with gentle bitterness

Best Uses: Ideal for finishing grilled meats, spooning over labneh, dressing tomato salads, or enjoying simply with warm bread to experience its full character.

Store in a cool, dry place, shielded from direct sunlight or heat.

Sameer Rashid Masoud and his family care for their Rumi groves in the hills of Burqa — a harvest they tend together, season after season. The work is shared: pruning in winter, watching the fruit set in spring, walking the land through the long dry summer, and gathering olives by hand when the time is right.

Their trees are primarily Rumi, one of Palestine’s oldest native varieties, many of them mature and deeply established in limestone soil. Rather than altering or blending the oil, the family preserves the integrity of each harvest, allowing the character of the land and the year to define the final expression.

Farming Method: Organic practices, traditional dry-farming, rain-fed, hand-picked, cold-pressed shortly after harvest.

Set among the limestone hills northwest of Nablus, the village of Burqa looks out over terraced valleys long defined by olive trees. These hills have carried agriculture for centuries, with stone terraces and ancient groves shaping both the land and the life built around it.

Rumi trees, among the oldest native varieties in Palestine, thrive here in dry, mineral-rich soil. Many stand thick-trunked and wide-canopied, having weathered generations of seasons. The harvest remains a communal rhythm, olives gathered by hand, pressed soon after picking to preserve their full, structured character.

In autumn, Burqa moves to the pace of the olive. Families return to the groves at first light, and the scent of fresh oil drifts through the village: green, peppery, alive, marking another year written into the land.

Art by: Rizo Masr

“At the center of the Burqa bottle is a farmer whose head rises like the sun. I wanted the image to be simple and direct: the Palestinian farmer as a source of energy, light, not as a symbol of hardship, but as someone who sustains life.

Farmers work within what cannot be rushed, soil, weather, time. Their labor is steady, physical, and often unseen.

This drawing is a recognition of that labor.”

Pairing Suggestions: Labneh with za’atar, grilled meats, roasted eggplant, tomato salads, or warm lentil soup.

Serving Suggestion: Best enjoyed raw to experience its structure and peppery finish. Drizzle over finished dishes, dip with fresh bread, or spoon over simple plates where the oil can lead rather than blend into the background

1. Rich in Antioxidants: Extra virgin olive oil is loaded with antioxidants, such as vitamin E and polyphenols, which help combat oxidative stress and protect cells from damage.
2. Heart Health: The monounsaturated fats in olive oil are known to support heart health by reducing bad cholesterol levels and lowering the risk of heart disease.
3. Anti-Inflammatory Properties: The anti-inflammatory compounds in olive oil can help alleviate inflammation throughout the body, potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
4. Vitamin Boost: Besides vitamin E, olive oil also contains vitamin K, which is crucial for blood clotting and bone health.
5. Digestive Health: Olive oil can aid digestion by promoting the production of digestive enzymes and helping to regulate bowel movements, contributing to a healthy digestive system.