Azapa Valley Olives: A Desert-Born Delicacy Handcrafted by Akapacha

In the northern edge of Chile, between the Andes and the Pacific, a narrow green valley cuts through the world’s driest desert. This is the Azapa Valley, home to one of Chile’s most prized ingredients: the Azapa olive—bold, naturally fermented, and deeply rooted in tradition.

At PureAndes, we are proud to feature gourmet spreads crafted from these olives by Akapacha, a small, woman-led Chilean business that honors the land, the culture, and the craft of desert agriculture.

How Olives Came to the Azapa Valley

Olives were first brought to the region by Spanish colonizers in the 16th century, but it was the Aymara and local desert communities who nurtured their cultivation in Azapa’s oasis-like microclimate.

Thanks to Andean snowmelt and centuries-old irrigation channels, the valley sustains rich soils and fruit trees amid the Atacama Desert, creating ideal conditions for olive groves to thrive—despite the extreme heat and near-zero rainfall.

This combination of ancient knowledge and harsh climate gives Azapa olives their one-of-a-kind character.

What Makes Azapa Olives So Special?

Azapa olives are unlike any mass-produced olives:

• Naturally fermented using traditional brine methods—no lye or chemical processing
• Rich, slightly bitter, earthy flavor with a fruity finish
• Buttery texture, packed with healthy fats and antioxidants
• Grown in mineral-rich soils under intense desert sun

Their depth and complexity make them perfect for gourmet applications—and that’s exactly where Akapacha comes in.

Meet Akapacha: Artisanal Tapenades from the Desert

Akapacha is a small Chilean brand based in the far north, founded by a woman entrepreneur who set out to celebrate the ingredients of her region through bold, natural flavors.

Their spreads are handcrafted in small batches and highlight Azapa olives in unique pairings:

• Azapa olives with rocoto pepper and peanuts
• Olives with toasted walnuts
• Traditional olive tapenade with herbs and spices

These are not your average supermarket tapenades—they’re the expression of a place, a culture, and a deep respect for nature’s resilience.

A Flavor Born from Extremes

The Atacama Desert is the driest in the world, with some areas having gone centuries without rainfall. Yet, thanks to underground aquifers and ingenuity, communities like those in Azapa have created a thriving agricultural oasis.

Every bite of these olives carries the story of survival, creativity, and connection to land. It’s the taste of a desert that gave life to something bold, rich, and unforgettable.

Taste Akapacha’s Azapa Olive Spreads

Whether you're layering it on sourdough, pairing it with goat cheese, or adding it to your next charcuterie board—these tapenades bring the true taste of northern Chile to your table.

→ Shop Azapa Olive Spreads by Akapacha

Sources & Further Reading

• Historia del Olivo en el Valle de Azapa – Universidad de Tarapacá
• ODEPA Chile – Cultivo de Olivo y Agricultura del Desierto
• ProChile: Exportación de Aceitunas del Valle de Azapa
• Interview with Akapacha founder (internal brand source)