My family has been harvesting olives for generations and producing our own olive oil in our home town of Gabes in southern Tunisia. When I was growing up in France, we received our share of the harvest every year in Paris. A few barrels of fresh olive oil, which my parents treasured and were very proud of. Tasting it with honey and fresh bread was a ritual. I remember my mother seasoning every dish with olive oil.
In 2018, I experienced the harvest for the first time. It was an opportunity to spend time with family, reconnect with home and learn about a tradition that is deeply rooted in our culture. Spending time with my parents, cousins, uncles and aunts was priceless. But sharing this journey with my children made me realize the importance of cultural transmission. I learned so much from all of them. My family taught me about the different varieties we have on our farm, or how olive trees communicate with each other, how to care for an olive tree or how to press the olives. I fell in love with everything to do with olive oil and especially the human connection it creates.
During that harvest, my cousin suggested we visit a piece of land that was for sale. I remember how beautiful the land was. 31 centuries-old trees instead stood there proudly. The estate agent asked me who my father was. I gave his name. He replied: “These trees were planted by your great-grandfather”. The deal was done. This was the beginning of my journey with olive oil.
Tacapae was born.
Tacapae is the expression of my love for my homeland, my art and my community. As an artist, I want to share my passion for art and olive oil with the world. Tacapae is a limited edition art collectible filled with organic extra virgin olive oil from our domain. The Tacapae bottle is a work of art whose design changes every year with each harvest, making each annual variant a limited edition collector’s item that brings pleasure far beyond the consumption of its contents. In the spirit of collaboration, I look forward to bringing in artists from different backgrounds to lend their vision to the Tacapae bottle for each harvest. For the first drops, my work will adorn the bottle.
Rue Limam Boukhari.
Teboulbou Gabes
6032 – Tunisie
