When the aroma of truffles and mushrooms begin to fill the air, time to

start the olive harvest has come.

As in most Tuscan areas, olives are harvested in the months of November and December. But in Lucca – being the area so close to the seaside – the harvest might begin as early as the middle of October. Early harvest means that the fruit is less ripe, and the less ripe olives account for the prized peppery taste of our olive oil.

http://blogit.iltasanomat.fi/liv/2012/11/20/oliiveja-poimimassa-toscanassa/