EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL

Palekastro, Sitia, Eastern Crete

About Us

We have grown up among olive trees. We have been taught the cultivation of the olive trees by our parents and grandparents. It is our main occupation of our family in winter time. Our groves are located on the eastern part of Crete, in Palekastro, Sitia, a region with the longest history of olive cultivation and olive oil production. We all work together with the goal of producing the highest quality extra virgin olive oil.

We have the pleasur to present Papadakis Family Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Our philosophy is based on proven traditional principles of olive cultivation.  Our olive oil is produced exclusively from the Olea Europea, variety Koroneiki, which gives an oil of exquisite quality, aroma, flavor and color. We have been cultivating organically long before organic food became a standard for good and healthy eating. We do not use any chemical fertilizers or pesticides and our storage is dedicated to handling only organic products. In addtion we follow the scientific and technological advances as regards olive oil extraction and packaging. The method for olive oil production is cold pressing.

The Extra Virgin Olive Oil is produced in certain parts of some regions, where the climate, soil and variety of olives favoured the production of exceptional quality olive oil, from the past to present. One of these regions is eastern Crete is known for its vibrant green color, clean taste and balanced acidity.

In 1998, in the competition organized by the Spanish National Council of Olive Oil as well as in the 5th SOL Exhibition in Italy, in 1999, this exceptional extra virgin olive oil, SITIA 0.3, was awarded the 1st prize, confirming and rewarding in this way the endeavors of the Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Sitia. This oil, which is distinguished by its golden-green colour, its intricate fresh aromas of unripe fruit and green herbs, the balance between sweet and bitter, the magical taste on the tongue and the amazing duration of its after-taste, has traveled all over the world and has charmed it.

Manos Papadakis, Palekastro, 72300 Sitia, Crete

Tel.: 0030 28430 61277

Email: housemargot@crete-vacation.com

History in brief

The olive tree is among the oldest known cultivated trees in the world. A native to Asia Minor, it spread from Iran, Syria and Palestine to the rest of the Mediterranean 5,000 years ago. Pollen analysis indicates that olive trees have been present in Greece since Neolithic times. Greeks were the first to cultivate the olive tree around 3500 BC on the island of Crete. By 2000BC cultivation in Crete was on a large scale with exports to mainland Greece, Northern Africa and Asia Minor. Between the 7th and 3rd centuries BC ancient philosophers, physicians and historians undertook the botanical classification of the olive and wrote its history while Aristotle elevated its cultivation to a science. Ancient Greeks protected olive trees by legislation. In the 6th century BC Solon the Great, Athenian legislator drafted the first law for the protection of the olive tree in which he prohibited the cutting down of more than two trees a year in each olive grove.

 

For the ancient Greeks, the olive tree was a symbol of peace, wisdom and triumph. Olympic athletes in Greece were massaged with olive oil and believed that three gifts of the gods would flow from it - wisdom, power and strength. When the first Olympic Games took place in Olympia in 776 BC an olive wreath was used to crown the Olympic champions. Indicative of the significance of the olive tree to the Athenians is that coins portrayed the goddess Athena with an olive wreath on her helmet and an amphorae with olive oil.

Manos Papadakis, Palekastro, 72300 Sitia, Crete

Tel.: 0030 28430 61277

Email: housemargot@crete-vacation.com

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