What is Organic?

Towards Nature-Friendly Oils

At Domaine Castelas, some of our oils are organically certified, while all our batches lean towards more virtuous practices: preserved soils, limited interventions, and harvests that respect the trees and the fruit. This progressive approach allows us to produce extra virgin olive oils rich in aromas and true to the Alpilles terroir, all while preserving the environment and biodiversity.

Living and Fertile Soils

Promoting Natural Soil Fertility

Maintaining or increasing soil fertility is a priority in organic farming. This objective is achieved through:
appropriate crop rotations allowing the soil to regenerate, the cultivation of green manures and legumes,
the recycling and composting of organic matter,
the use of natural fertilizers and soil amendments.

Agriculture

without synthetic chemicals or GMOs

Organic farming regulations prohibit the use of synthetic chemicals such as pesticides, with all the positive repercussions this implies for the environment and consumer health.

Respect for Water Quality
Specific organic farming practices help prevent the contamination of surface and groundwater and reduce their nitrate content.
Organic farmers use organic fertilizers in limited quantities to fertilize their soils.
Organic farming is a major contributor to maintaining or improving water quality.

Agriculture that Promotes Biodiversity

While health and quality expectations create a growing demand for organic products, consumers and organic stakeholders are motivated by the desire to contribute to environmental protection.
Indeed, by respecting major natural balances, the diversity of plant and animal species, and by prohibiting the use of synthetic chemicals and GMOs, organic farming contributes to the preservation of the planet.

The development of organic farming also helps to evolve traditional agricultural practices.

Guarantee

of Naturalness and Authenticity

The objective for organic product processors is to use formulation and processing methods that ensure the preservation of the nutritional qualities present in the raw materials at all stages of production. Thus, biological, mechanical, and physical methods are favored (e.g., stone-ground flour, cold-pressed oil...).

Restricted Use of Additives and Processing Aids

  • Organic product processors do not use synthetic chemical colorants, flavors, or flavor enhancers.
  • The number of authorized additives is severely restricted (47 compared to 300 in conventional products), and most are of agricultural or natural origin. Only those additives whose use is essential for the preparation or preservation of certain processed foods are permitted in organic products.
  • Enrichment with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, etc., is prohibited in organic products, unless required by law (e.g., baby food).
  • Ionizing treatments are prohibited.
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