OLIVE OIL

If there is one product that is intrinsically linked to Greece, it is olive oil. It is undeniably the cornerstone of Greek and Mediterranean cuisine, and Greece is fortunate to produce olive oils of exceptional quality and flavour.

In ancient Greece, olive oil held immense significance – not only as food, but also as a symbol of culture, religion and economy. The olive tree was considered one of the ancient gods’ greatest gifts to humanity and was widely cultivated, mainly in Evia, Crete, the Peloponnese and the southern Cyclades. The tradition of olive cultivation and olive oil production in Greece dates to at least the 2nd millennium BCE, with the development of the cold-pressing technology used by the ancient Greeks to extract olive oil. Such was the importance of the olive tree that, according to Aristotle, anyone who destroyed or uprooted an olive tree was sentenced to death.

Today, one of the most renowned olive oil-producing regions in Greece is the Peloponnese. Crete also produces some of the most famous olive oils in both Greece and the world, characterised by their distinctive flavour and high quality owing to the island’s unique soil and climate. However, excellent olive oils are found throughout Greece, with producers making the most of the unique characteristics of the country’s edible olive varieties. Greece produces a number of PDO and PGI olive oils, each with its own unique flavour characteristics closely tied to its place of origin.

The most widely cultivated olive variety in Greece is the Koroneiki, which produces a superior-quality extra virgin olive oil that is considered one of the best in the world due to its rich flavour, aroma, and nutritional value. Other notable varieties include Manaki, Tsounati and Athinolia, each offering distinct flavours and characteristics. Mytilini (Lesvos) also produces exceptional olive oil from rare olive varieties seldom found elsewhere in Greece. This northern Aegean island’s predominant Kolovi and Adramytini olive varieties give the oil a golden hue, making it highly aromatic and pleasantly smooth.

Olive oil production and exports play a vital role in the Greek economy. The olive oil sector provides jobs in rural areas and contributes significantly to the national economy through exports. The quality of Greek olive oil is recognised worldwide, with many Greek brands winning awards in international competitions.