For the last 6 years, I have been spending my summer holidays in Crete and, each time I have always brought back olive oil for my own consumption. It is one of my favorite olive oils to date! So this summer, once again I have carried back about 5 litters (mostly organic) from different estates around the island. Last week when I was at Ophelie’s for our photo session, I took the opportunity to organise a little tasting session (the more the merrier!). I was wondering if we would be able to notice the difference between the oils despite the fact that we are not olive oil ‘sommeliers’! I had brought my Greek olive oils plus one extra bottle I found in my Mother’s cupboard. It is from another region of Greece: Peloponnese.
Olive groves – Rethymno region
Koroneiki olive
As you can see from the images below, we tried 8 different olive oils. Some are produced from small family estates and others from big groups that export internationally. I bought metal tins for ease of transport and rebottled the local one #1. They are extra virgin oils, five of which are organic and all are made from the Koroneiki olive, which is the most popular variety in Greece.
Tasting selection
Olive tree and evening light – Agia Galini
Olive groves – Messara region
Olive trees – Sitia region
Tasting
All oils have their own taste and among the 7 Cretan oils, we could distinguish their subtleties however they pretty much all have a fresh herbal taste in comparison to the oil from Peloponnese, which has a citrus flavour #8. Some are spicy (#1, 2, 4 & 7), some others bitter (#2, 6 & 8), herbal (#2, 5, 6 & 7) and/or fruity (#3).
Green colour palette
Actually, I really enjoyed doing this informal degustation, being able to compare all of them at once and tasting the differences. Ophélie preferred the olive oil #4 from Creta Verde. As for me, I picked the one from Gaea Krista Fresh #5, which is a limited edition of olive oil, bottled from the first pressing within three hours of olives being harvested. All in all, they are of great quality; so if you are planning to go to Crete soon, make sure to allow for space in your suitcase to bring back a few bottles.
Old olive tree – Agia Galini
Koroneiki olives
Koroneiki olives
Please note that all opinions expressed in this post are independent from any of the mentioned olive producers. All olive groves photos were taken in Crete.
More olive oil news
About other Greek olive varieties
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Where to shop
In London and the UK
Food Philosophy, 106 George Street, London W1U 8
In Australia
Check the blog Mulberry and Pomegranate for a list of delis in Sydney and Melbourne.
In Paris and France
Greece, Europe and beyond
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3 Comments
You had a great idea! There are some degustations in my town and I have never had the idea of going. I think I am going to join one as you bring me to curiosity after reading your post!
Last week I bought some Greek olives in a recent opened store in my town and when I arrived home I was wondering which olive oil the owner did add to the olives as it was wonderful.
As a consumer of only organic extra virgen olive oil I have lots of curiosity around all of this. Do you know if in Crete you can find a degustation of this?
Thanks for your comment. It would be interesting to compare with Spanish oils!! I am not sure if there are proper degustation comparing other oils in Crete. I know in Paris they do. You can even find training to become a sommelier!
That is so cool! ☺️