Two-thirds of imported olive oil sold to U.S. consumers fail to meet the standards. Help us produce oil from a small village in Greece.
Thank you for taking the time to view our project!
What we would like to do is create an authentic, organic extra virgin olive oil that is of the highest caliber in quality, taste and authenticity.
With your help we’ll be able to ‘kickstart’ a limited edition production run of the fall 2011 harvest of this incredibly flavorful (and healthy) olive oil. The olives are situated on private land in a small, ancient village in Greece which also has the privilege of ‘protected designation of origin’ status from the European Union. Together we can help pick, press and import this organic olive oil that has been enjoyed by my family for generations. (Please also visit and like our Facebook page.)
Unfortunately here in the United States, most of the oil from major manufacturers and importers is of an inferior quality and does not adhere to any standards set forth by the USDA or even the IOC (International Olive Council) which among other things ‘defines quality standards and monitors authenticity.’
In many cases this leads to defective, flavorless olive oils that are being produced and sold to the United States consumer under the false label of “Extra Virgin.” As a matter of fact a recent study by the University of California and the Australian Oils Research Laboratory found that 66% of the 15 imported brands sampled failed to meet the USDA/IOC standards for extra virgin quality.
This is problematic since many consumers are paying a premium price for a product that is misrepresenting itself. An even larger, more serious problem, is that some of the olive oils tested had traces of other lesser quality oils such as nut or seed oil. Can you imagine what could happen to an individual with severe food allergies who bought such an oil?
Sources: Los Angeles Times - Olive Oil Times - New Yorker Magazine
As a matter of fact, the author from the controversial New Yorker magazine article right above this paragraph, Tom Mueller, has a fantastic new book out that talks about fraud and deception within the olive oil industry. Please check out some a video of Mr. Mueller below as well as from CBS News.
We are super excited to be able to offer "Extra Virginity" as part of our rewards. Mr. Mueller has also been gracious enough to help us in providing signed copies as well!
From BarnesandNoble.com:
Tom Mueller has become the world's expert on olive oil and olive oil fraud-a story of globalization, deception, and crime in the food industry from ancient times to the present, and a powerful indictment of today's lax protections against fake and even toxic food products in the United States. A rich and deliciously readable narrative, Extra Virginity is also an inspiring account of the artisanal producers, chemical analysts, chefs, and food activists who are defending the extraordinary oils that truly deserve the name "extra-virgin."
The key factors in dictating whether or not an olive oil is extra virgin are as follows:
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Olives should be pressed within 16 hours of being picked.
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Olive oil must have a free acidity level of .8 grams for every 100 grams or less.
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Olive oil must be produced only by mechanical means, no use of solvents or chemicals.
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During production, the oil must not exceed 86°F (30°C)
The olives are situated on land in a small village of Greece called Trizina. The olives used to produce the oil will be a blend of ‘Koroneiki’ olives and the region specific ‘Manaki’ olives variety. The result is a greenish-gold olive oil rich in phenolic content, antioxidants and other nutrients with a rich olive smell with hints of grass. It has a very light balance on the tongue with smooth olive tastes, accented with slight citrus and nutty tones.
Trizina has been deemed by the European Union as a ‘Protected Designation of Origin’ or a PDO. A PDO refers to olive oils with "exceptional properties and quality derived from their place of origin as well as from the way of their production.” The certification of PDO products enables the use of acknowledged special markings, which warranty full compliance with Community and National Legislation requirements. Source: OliveOil.eu - Expoaid.gr
Trizina is the birthplace of the supposed mythical hero Theseus and still contains ruins thought to be his castle along with many other old structures dating back thousands of years. It was in modern Trizina that my great-grandfather Anargyros Titiris found a stone tablet while tending the land dating back to the 3rd century B.C.
The Battle of Salamis was a major turning point for the Greeks. It demoralized the Persian army and they were eventually defeated and driven out. A significant number of historians have stated that Salamis is one of the most significant battles in human history...a more extreme form of this argument, some historians argue that if the Greeks had lost at Salamis, the ensuing conquest of Greece by the Persians would have effectively stilted the growth of 'western civilization' as we know it. source: Year of Salamis, 480-479 B.C., Peter Green
Raising $15,000 dollars is essential to getting this project off the ground. As a matter of fact it’s the absolute minimum needed to produce and ship the product back to the United States, as well as paying all the fees, duties, lab tests and associated licensing needed. We want to make sure that the product is exactly as stated and that it passes all FDA regulations for bottling and distribution.
We look forward to sharing this experience with you!
-Niko & Georgia
p.s. -> please like and share our project on Facebook as well by clicking here. Thanks!
FAQ
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45
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Funding period
Nov 24, 2011 -
Dec 23, 2011
- First created · 0 backed
- Niko Nikolaou 213 friends
- Website: facebook.com
Pledge $5 or more
1 backer
You will receive a high gloss 4x6 postcard with a photo taken from the grove and/or Trizina along with a personal thank you for helping us achieve our goal.
Estimated delivery: Jan 2012Pledge $15 or more
1 backer
Previous postcard reward plus a full color printed booklet with more photos of the grove, the village and write-up about the history and process in creating the olive oil.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2012Pledge $29 or more
14 backers Limited (36 of 50 left)
With this level you'll receive the previous rewards of the custom postcard, the full color booklet on Trizina as well as One (1) 250ml bottle of our Premium, Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2012Pledge $50 or more
9 backers
Previous rewards, plus one (1) 500ml bottle of our delicious, Premium Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2012Pledge $75 or more
2 backers
You will receive the postcard, booklet, one (1) 500ml bottle of our olive oil and a copy of Tom Mueller's book, "Extra Virginity: The Sublime and Scandalous World of Olive Oil"
Estimated delivery: Mar 2012Pledge $100 or more
3 backers
You will receive the postcard, booklet, two (2) 500ml bottles of our olive oil and a copy of Tom Mueller's book, "Extra Virginity: The Sublime and Scandalous World of Olive Oil"
Estimated delivery: Mar 2012Pledge $125 or more
1 backer
You will receive the postcard, booklet, three (3) 500ml bottles of our olive oil and a copy of Tom Mueller's book, "Extra Virginity: The Sublime and Scandalous World of Olive Oil"
Estimated delivery: Mar 2012Pledge $175 or more
0 backers
You will receive the postcard, booklet, four (4) 500ml bottles of our premium olive oil and a copy of 1 copy of "How to Roast a Lamb: New Greek Classic Cooking" by celebrity Greek chef Michael Psilakis
Estimated delivery: Mar 2012Pledge $250 or more
2 backers
You will receive the postcard, 3 booklets, six (6) 500ml bottles of our Extra Virgin Olive Oil. You will also receive a SIGNED copy of Tom's book.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2012Pledge $500 or more
1 backer
You will receive the 1 postcard, 6 booklets, and nine (9) 500ml bottles of our Extra Virgin Olive Oil. • 1 SIGNED copy of Tom Mueller's book, "Extra Virginity: The Sublime and Scandalous World of Olive Oil" • A copy of "How to Roast a Lamb: New Greek Classic Cooking" by celebrity Greek chef Michael Psilakis.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2012Pledge $1,000 or more
0 backers
Live near the metro NYC area or planning a visit soon? Let us know when you'll be around we'd love to take you out to dinner to one of our favorite Greek restaurants. You will receive the thank you postcard, • 6 booklets • Twelve (12) 500ml bottles of our Extra Virgin Olive Oil • 1 signed copy of Tom Mueller's book, "Extra Virginity: The Sublime and Scandalous World of Olive Oil" • 1 copy of "How to Roast a Lamb: New Greek Classic Cooking" by celebrity Greek chef Michael Psilakis and a gift basket packed with Greek goodies.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2012Pledge $1,000 or more
2 backers
If you're not going to be in NYC any time soon and can't make it to dinner, then choose this reward! You will receive eighteen (18) 500ml bottles of our Extra Virgin Olive Oil, • 1 signed copy of Tom Mueller's book, "Extra Virginity: The Sublime and Scandalous World of Olive Oil" • 1 copy of "How to Roast a Lamb: New Greek Classic Cooking" by celebrity Greek chef Michael Psilakis • Extra postcards • 12 booklets • A Deluxe Greek goody basket.
Estimated delivery: Mar 2012
