Olive Facts

THE CULTIVATION OF OLIVES BEGAN SIX THOUSAND YEARS AGO IN GREECETHE CULTIVATION OF OLIVES BEGAN SIX THOUSAND YEARS AGO IN GREECE

The earliest example of an amphora, an olive oil container, dates back six thousand years. It was discovered by archaeologists in Early Minoan Period excavation. Since that time, Olive Oil has remained an integral part of the Mediterranean diet. This is most likely in part due to the abundance of the olive throughout the Mediterranean Basin as well as to its various health related properties.

The climatic characteristics of Greece are ideal: the hot summers, the mild winters, the aridity and humidity levels, the acidity levels of the earth, together they create the perfect combination for the cultivation of Olives.

The olive tree can live for many centuries and produces fruit during most of these. The only exception, the first six years of its life. In Greece, over 806 thousand hectares are used to cultivate olives. Of this area, 712,720 hectares will serve to produce Olive Oil olives while only 93,670 hectares will be cultivated for table olives production.

HOW DO WE PRODUCE OUR P.D.O. MESSARA EXTRA-VIRGIN OLIVE OIL?

• We cultivate Olives from the “Koroneiki" variety of Crete;
• We collect the olives in nets and sacks;
• We transport the sacks to our olive oil mill on the same day to ensure best quality;
• We wash the olives and remove any leaves;
• We crush and mix the olives;
• We separate the solid pomace and the liquid extracts of the olives;
• We separate the olive kernals from the olive extract;
• We separate the olive extract into virgin olive oil and vegetable water;
• The Olive Oil is placed in tanks. Gravity is used to clear it by pulling sediments down;
• The Olive Oil passes through paper filters;
• The Olive Oil is stored in clean stainless steel tanks;
• The Olive Oil is then bottled and caps are placed on the bottles;
• Labels are printed and affixed to the bottles;
• Bottles are randomly selected and a chemical analysis is performed to insure Olive Oil Quality;
• Finally, bottles are packed on pallets and shipped throughout the world.

HOW DO WE PRODUCE OUR KALAMATA OLIVES AND OTHERS?HOW DO WE PRODUCE OUR KALAMATA OLIVES AND OTHERS?

• We cultivate Olives from the local “Kalamata" variety and other selections;
• We collect the olives in nets and sacks;
• Carefully inspect the sizes, colors, and overall quality;
• We transport the sacks to the factory;
• We wash the olives and remove any leaves;
• Separation and selection process of the sizes;
• Placement in large vast for curing period;
• Transferred in containers with customers specific brine requirements.