“If you disintegrate Greece, in the end you will see that you are left with an olive tree, a grapevine and a ship.”
Odysseas Elytis
Aigialeia's Olive Grove
The olive tree, the tree of offering, a faithful companion, self-evident because it was here before us contributing in a non-negotiable way to our daily wealth.
Who we are
A few words about us and our products.
My name is Leonidas Komninos and I am a Chemist and Food Technologist and for 30 years I have maintained a private chemical laboratory of quality control over food control and the provision of consulting services in food production.
Wanting to put this experience of mine into practice, we created this company that has a vision of producing high quality organic extra virgin olive oil, having control in every area of its production process, changing those points that others have left without control, thus creating a qualitatively inferior product.
The agronomist supervises the production of the cooperating certified organic producers and recommends the best nutrition and protection of the plants.
The fruits are collected without being injured and in plastic crates recommended for olives, they are taken to the olive press under specific temperature and time conditions.
Finally, in the preservation of the olive oil, we constantly maintain constant low temperatures in the absence of atmospheric oxygen so that the aromas and the quality of the olive oil in general do not change from that of the first hour of pressing.
Finally, we try through our cooperating representatives, that our product is not exposed to adverse conditions and its quality is affected until it reaches your hands.
In our brand label there is an ancient coin that represends the ancient goddess Athena , which Her major symbols include owls and olive trees .
According to the ancient myth , Athena competed with Poseidon for the patronage of Athens.[ They agreed that each would give the Athenians one gift and that Cecrops, the king of Athens, would determine which gift was better. Poseidon struck the ground with his trident and a salt water spring sprang up; this gave the Athenians access to trade and water but the water was salty and undrinkable. Athena offered the first domesticated olive tree. Cecrops accepted this gift and declared Athena the patron goddess of Athens.The olive tree brought wood, oil, and food, and became a symbol of Athenian economic prosperity.
We wish to treat the olive and olive oil with wisdom so as to highlight the ancient gold that we have inherit from our ancestors
Production
At a height of 500-700 meters above sea level and in a location favorable in terms of microclimate of the area – which means less need for interventions to deal with the enemies of the olive – a unique variety grows, koutsouroelia.
A variety that gives wonderful aromas and we believe that it is time to highlight it so that you can taste this unique oil.
Having 25 years of experience in food quality control and having diagnosed the weaknesses in the olive oil production chain, we submit our own proposal in order to highlight the unique aromatic, tasty and healthy benefits of our olive oil and most importantly to keep these characteristics unchanged ,as the olive oil has just been removed from the grinder.
Finally, we want to share our creation with the whole world, wanting to highlight the Greek variety and our olive oil.
In the field...
Our biologically certified farmers – partners are guided by our team of agronomists for the proper nutrition of the plants, the appropriate time of disease control applications but also the good practices of harvesting and gathering the fruits in order to avoid injuries and contamination of the fruits by external factors. .
We attach great importance to the replacement of chainsaw lubricants with approved lubricants for food so that no mineral oil residues are found in the olive oil.
In the olive mill...
The fruit is squeezed in specially cooperating oil mills that are certified for organic products and the extraction is done cold.
Storage...
After the necessary chemical analyzes are performed upon receipt of the olive oil, it is stored in stainless steel tanks under low temperatures and in the absence of oxygen to ensure that the characteristics of the olive oil remain unchanged until the last drop.
To feel safe our company is certified according to ISO2200, BRC, IFS and by DIO as a biological product.
Finally, olive oil is suitable for both Vegan and Vegetarian.
Sustainable growth
PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT: A HOLISTIC APPROACH
In our company our efforts and commitments are to drive positive change and deliver on our “Changing the way the World Eats for the Better” mission.
Our industry faces challenges as the need for action on climate change, water scarcity and other sustainability issues becomes more urgent. For us, addressing these challenges means having a clear sustainability strategy that guides our actions, drives solid goals and motivates us to achieve them.
Olive Oil and Health
In 2018, the 3rd International conference on olive oil, olives and health took place in Spain. Some of the conclusions are presented below …
The olive tree as symbol...
“Thomas l. Friedman , The lexus and the Olive tree”
Olive trees are important. They represent everything that roots us, anchors us, identifies us and locates us in this world – whether it be belonging to a family, a community, a tribe, a nation, a religion or, most of all, a place called home.
Olive trees are what give us the warmth of family, the joy of individuality, the intimacy of personal rituals, the depth of private relationships, as well as the confidence and security to reach out and encounter others. We fight so intensely at times over our olive trees because, at their best, they provide the feelings of self-esteem and belonging that are as essential for human survival as food in the belly.
Indeed, one reason that the nation-state will never disappear, even if it does weaken, is because it is the ultimate olive tree-the ultimate expression of whom we belong to – linguistically, geographically and historically
You cannot be a complete person alone. You can be a rich person alone. You can be a smart person alone. But you cannot be a complete person alone. For that you must be part of, and rooted in, an olive grove.
Certification
A Food Safety Management System according to the ISO 22000:2005 standard is implemented in the bottling unit for the activity of olive oil standardization.