Olives from lush lands

Nestled neatly at the foot of the Parnon mountain range, the olive orchard is in a sunny spot overlooking the Aegean Sea.

The olive trees are grown and carefully looked after in the remote bay of Saint George in Poulithra, a picturesque little village in the Peloponnese on the Greek mainland. The colours are vibrant, you can almost taste the salt from the sea in the air and the soil is rich and fertile.

The small olive orchard of around 70 trees sits with a stunning view to the the Aegean Sea at the foot of the Parnon mountain range.

The olives are hand-picked and cold-pressed, within two days, in the nearby town of Astros. Although our olive oil does not have organic certification, it can be considered organic as the olives are grown and pressed according to these standards.

Olive oil is 'extra virgin' when the acidity of the oil is under 0.8%. 'Extra virgin' is the highest designation of quality for olive oil and we are pleased, once again, to offer extra virgin olive oil. The acidity of the oil this year is 0.3%, well below the threshold.

The 2022 harvest was very good and we're excited to have received 170 litres to distribute here in Luxembourg. The olive oil can be purchased in 1 litre (24€) or 0,5 litre (12€) cans at The Holistic Corner by Mia Voss. Use the contact form below or email [email protected] directly.

Extra virgin olive oil is so good for you! 

Extra virgin cold-pressed olive oil is considered to be one of, if not the, healthiest type of fat. It's delicious and versatile and comes with many health benefits. 

Here are some of the main evidence-based benefits of adding extra virgin olive oil to your diet and as part of an overall healthy diet:

• It has strong anti-inflammatory properties. Chronic inflammation is thought to be a leading cause of many diseases. Extra virgin olive oil contains nutrients that fight inflammation.
• It decreases the growth of harmful bacteria in the gut and promotes the growth of beneficial probiotic bacteria in the gut.
  
• It may improve heart health. It can reduce blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels and reduce risks of stroke and heart disease.
• It may improve mood. As part of a balanced diet including a high intake of fresh produce, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts and seeds, lean meats, oily fish and seafood, has been found to play a role in reducing the risk of depression.
• May improve brain function. A Mediterranean diet supplemented with olive oil or nuts has been found to improve cognitive function.
• It is a good source of vitamin E, which helps maintain healthy skin and eyes and strengthens the immune system.

It is no wonder that olive oil is also called 'liquid gold' and remains a main component of the Mediterranean diet, which is also considered one of the healthiest diets in the world. 

To reap all the benefits of olive oil there are certain indications to be aware of. Not all olive oil is considered good for you.

What to look out for when buying olive oil?

• Make sure it is 'extra virgin'. Extra virgin is the highest designation of quality for olive oil and it means that the acidity levels are below the threshold of 0.8%.
• Make sure it is cold-pressed. This ensures that no heat has been used to press the olives and that all the powerful nutritional benefits are preserved.
• Make sure it is certified organic or grown and pressed using these standards to prevent pesticides and other unwanted chemicals.
• Be suspicious of cheap olive oil and read the fine print. Check the origin of the oil and as a rule of thumb always buy olive oil that comes from a single place, or at the very least from the same country.
• Make sure you know when the olive oil was harvested and pressed. Most olive oil sold in supermarkets does not provide such information. 

If you choose to use olive oil for cooking, be aware that it has a lower smoke point than other, more suitable fats for high heat cooking.

For more information regarding health and nutrition feel free to visit www.theholisticorner.com

Get in touch to order your Greek liquid gold while stocks last!