Aroma of Crete

In order to understand the richness of the Cretan flora it is sufficient to consider that Crete has 1,750 subspecies of plants and the percentage of endemic species that grow in Crete naturally and nowhere else in the world. This figure is about 160 species and subspecies 9% of flora’s species, which are unique in the world. The herbs affect directly the olive tree because they shape the characteristics (acidity, body, flavor, and aroma) that compose the flavor profile of our olive oil.

Location

The geomorphological relief of Crete makes Sitia a privileged location. A region of protected designation of origin (PDO) with olive trees dated 3,500 years ago. The Sitia 02 of Olea Secret is a premium PDO extra virgin olive oil that has particular organoleptic characteristics of this region. It is produced from the ancient Koroneiki variety of Olives. Its rare microclimate, the unique subspecies of herbs and the limestone rocks that dominate in the island make it a product of superior quality. The variety also produces green olive oil and it does not thrive in places where there is a great variation in temperature.

Cretan Olive Grove

The history of the olive is indissolubly linked to the life of the Mediterranean people. The first cultivation of olive trees in the world took place in Greece and specifically in Crete. This is also evidenced by archaeological data as well as historical sources. Images were found in the Palace of Knossos, at the beginning of the century, confirm that the people of that era cultivated the olive tree. Except the Knossos also in a village, Archanes, there were also vases in which olives were placed. While the most impressive finding, was the cup of edible olives found in the Palace of Zakros, and they still retained their flesh over 3,500 years. As well as a part of a rustic olive oil mill in Phaistos, which they used to produce olive oil.

Koroneiki Variety of Olives

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In Greece, the Koroneiki variety is considered as ‘the queen of olives’ and is recognized globally as one of the preferred varieties for olive oil production.  The olive tree of this variety has grown there for more than 3,000 years. While the olives themselves are very small, they contain very high levels of poly-phenols, the natural antioxidants found in plants that may reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.  Poly-phenols and other antioxidants found in olives can protect the human body against free radical damage. Olive oil, which has been a staple in Mediterranean diets for thousands of years, contains a wide variety of valuable antioxidants that are not found in other oils. Since ancient times, it was also known that all oils have not the same potency for the protection of health. The reason is the substance oleocanthal which has strong anti-inflammatory activity comparable with that which found in medicines.

Harvest

During the harvest of the fruit, the month of November, before the fruit has fully matured, we collect them by hand so as not to injure the wrist and alter its taste.With this process, we avoid the rancidity of olive oil. The early harvest but also the low temperature < extraction cold pressed > of olive is produced only by physical and mechanical processes under 18°C and less than 3 hours. We produce a product of very low acidity with perfect aroma and taste in order to reach you with all its nutritious and beneficial ingredients unalterable. High concentration in vitamin E, chlorophyll, and phenolic substances. 

Organoleptic Evaluation 

Organoleptic evaluation is the detection and description of the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of olive oil in aroma and taste, using human senses and its classification according to its characteristics. The CEF Regulation explicitly specifies that for the final classification of an extra virgin olive oil, in addition to the chemical analysis to determine the hidden properties (and acidity, peroxides, peroxides, K 232, K 270).  Organoleptic analysis is also necessary, because this procedure reveals the sensory properties of olive oil, thus shielding the quality and protecting the consumer.