The Best Olive Oil from Crete: Did you know that there are two main olive varieties in Crete and that they are completely different from the olives growing in the rest of Greece?
Olives in Crete produce that top-quality oil that gives a completely different taste to anything you try, and Cretan Extra Virgin Olive Oil has unique healthy characteristics you will want to know all about.
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The Best Olive Oil from Crete
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Read on and discover every secret about Crete’s green treasure: Extra Virgin Olive Oil, the best olive oil from Crete.
Cretan Olive Oil Back in Time
Research has found that the origins of the olive tree can be traced as much as 60,000 years back in history. And the island of Crete might as well be the place where everything began.
It was in Crete where the oldest container for storage of olive oil was found, and it is roughly from the year 3500 BC.
In Minoan times, for instance, the olive tree was not only a source of oil but it would be used as fuel and even wood as a raw material for the construction of boats and houses.
And that’s not everything, it’s believed also that once the olives had been pressed and the oil extracted, the remaining pulp, leaves, and cores would make a great substance to feed cattle and domestic animals.
In history, olive oil played a key role in everyday life, it would even be used to lit lamps, and wood for heating purposes as well.
The Olive Tree in Ancient Greece
The olive tree provided for countless basic needs. It didn’t take long for it to become an iconic image of wealth and prosperity. Olives were given to the Gods in Ancient Greece as a precious offering.
For instance, on top of the Acropolis, in Athens, there’s a sacred olive tree related to the legend according to which, during a contest between Poseidon and Athena to rule over the city, goddess Athena chose an olive tree as a gift to the city, which the Athenians preferred over Poseidon’s gift.
Full of unique qualities, the olive tree since then stands as a symbol of victory, peace, and abundance. Its leaves have for ages crowned the heads of kings and victorious athletes in the Olympic Games.
Discover the Ancient Olive Trees of Crete
Kavousi, Lasithi
A few kilometers towards the east of Agios Nikolaos, in the region of Lasithi, there’s a legendary olive tree in the small village of Azoria, just a kilometer away from Kavousi, a village close to the Havgas Gorge.
Azoria treasures what’s probably the oldest olive tree in Crete. And it doesn’t come as a surprise to locals that the tree is still alive and producing hundreds of olives each year.
The trunk of this tree reaches a maximum diameter of 4.9 meters, with a circumference of 14.2 meters, and it’s believed to have been planted around 1100 BC.
Vouves, Chania
Not far from Chania, close to the mountains in the region, there’s a huge extension of olive trees in the Protected Denomination of Origin area of Kolymbari.
The mild weather conditions of the island combined with the microclimate of Kolymbari give life to a top environment that results in high-quality olive crops.
There’s a village in the region known as Vouves, where an ancient olive tree has an impressive trunk with a circumference of 12.5 meters and a diameter of more than 4.5 meters. It produces the tsounati variety of olive.
In the village, it’s also possible to visit the Olive Tree Museum and take a look at old tools and even a stone olive mill.
LOCALS KNOW
There are two main varieties of olives in Crete that produce the local top-quality extra virgin olive oil, the tsounati variety, with a walnut yet delicate taste, and the koroneiki variety, more fragrant, fresh, and spicy, ideal for salads.
Visiting an Olive Oil Factory in Kolymbari
Did you know that about 5 % of the World’s olive oil comes from Crete? It does! Learning this fact made me curious, so I looked for a place in the region where I could be able to learn a bit more…
Right in the heart of Kolymbari, and for over five generations, the Dimitriadis family specializes in estate-produced, stone-milled, cold-pressed organic olive oil.
But what makes this place special, is that they combine all the benefits of the traditional methods for oil extraction in full respect of the environment.
The company is called Biolea, and it’s one of the very few companies on Crete still producing extra virgin olive oil with this slow method. The impressive traditional stone mill, still in use, fascinated our children.
Biolea owns over 3000 olive trees from the koroneiki variety. Olives in Crete are very small, which makes them especially resistant to the island’s rough soil, drought weather, and high temperatures. The company doesn’t put quantity over quality.
Biolea makes a reduced quantity of extra virgin olive oil annually (about 20,000 liters per year, which does not seem a lot when compared to other industrialized companies producing over 300,000 liters per year.
This choice allows them to maintain very high-quality standards.
Biolea’s olive oil is extra virgin, young, and fresh. Their method involves cold-pressing while they do not filter their oil.
A method that remains close to the most ancient traditions and a winning recipe to have an oil with every healthy property in it.
Tasting The Best Olive Oil from Crete:
Extra Virgin Olive Oil at Biolea
During our oil-tasting session, Chloè, the youngest in the family, introduced us to new tastes. They don’t only produce an incredibly tasty, mild, and sweet, extra virgin olive oil. We also discovered two fascinating surprises…
Nerantzio
A type of olive oil that is made by adding whole fresh bitter oranges to the mill. These oranges release an exotic punch of orange blossom and a teasing touch of orange skin.
Lemonio
This is an aromatic olive oil that Biolea produces by cold-pressing koroneiki olives with whole fresh lemons in the stone mill. A fabulous oil that explodes with an intense lemon zest aroma and a lasting aftertaste of freshly crushed lemons.
Lessons About Extra Virgin Olive Oil: The Best Olive Oil
During our visit, we learned a few things that come in handy when it’s time to pick your next bottle. When you go olive oil shopping, first of all, take a look at the label.
Extra Virgin
The first word to look for on the label is VIRGIN. Definitions such as “pure olive oil”, “white olive oil”, and “good olive oil” are simply blends.
The second word to find is EXTRA and it has to do with acidity. A level between 0,0 and 0,8 % qualifies the oil as extra virgin.
But careful! Having a label that reads Extra Virgin is not enough! These two words, even if important, don’t account for harvest date: olive oil is at its best in the first two years of its harvest.
“Extra Virgin” does not account for heat either. Cold pressing must be done under 27 °C so the oil still maintains all its qualities.
Pressing, extraction, origin of olives
A step beyond this is the distinction between cold press and cold extraction. Modern systems process olives through cold extraction using a chopper. This needs high quantities of water reducing the final quality.
On the other hand, a cold press manages to separate the olive from its skin much better than a chopper, producing olive oil that tastes sweeter, milder, and almost buttery.
Finally, look at the origin. If olives come from Protected Designation Origin Areas chances are your olive oil is indeed top-class.
Did you know any of these facts about Extra Virgin Olive Oil?
>> You can learn more about Biolea and Cretan Olive Oil by getting in touch with the mill.
Best Olive Oil Tours in Crete
To learn more about the olive oil industry in Crete, you can visit an olive oil factory with a mill, these tours offer that kind of visit and include olive oil tasting too.
- The Miracle of Wine and Olive Oil: (from Chania)
This 6-hour tour takes you to family wineries and an olive oil factory on a trip from Chania.
Click here for more information and to check reviews and prices.
- Olive Oil Tasting with Cretan Food Pairing: (from Rethymnon)
This tour includes an olive oil-tasting experience under the shade of real olive trees. You will learn how to taste olive oil and you will also enjoy a food pairing of local products whilst you learn about the long olive oil history in Crete.
Click here for more information and to check reviews and prices.
- Olive Oil Tasting Experience: (from Heraklion)
One of the most conveniently-priced olive oil tours you will find on the island! You will discover the flavors of olive oil, at the base of the Cretan diet. You will sample various olive oils and learn about their origins.
Click here for more information and to check reviews and prices.
Read more about Crete
- The Most Exhilarating Wineries in Heraklion, Crete
- Dreamy Boat Trips in Crete: Discover Crete by Sea!
- The Best Vegetarian Food in Crete That You Must Try on the Island
- The Most Beautiful Beaches in West Crete that You Cannot Miss!
- The Most Delicious Seaside Restaurants That You Should Visit in Crete!
More resources to enhance your Crete adventure
Start by checking out my guide to planning your trip to Crete, packed with helpful essential information. Explore the articles on prices in Crete, common mistakes to avoid, and insider secrets. You can also get one of the digital travel guides I’ve written about Crete. They are affordable and practical to check from your mobile.
When it’s time to plan, explore the best places to visit on Crete Island, discover my tours and activities, and be amazed at Crete’s incredible beaches. If you are exploring specific areas like Heraklion, Rethymnon, Lasithi, and Chania, I’ve got detailed guides to help you make the most of your time.
Suggested accommodation in Crete
No time to read all my accommodation guides? Check out these places to stay:
- Heraklion: Galaxy Hotel.
- Chania: Porto Antico.
- Rethymnon: Archipelagos Hotel.
- Agios Nikolaos: Hotel Port 7.
This Belongs to a Board! Pin This Guide to Cretan Olive Oil for Your Next Adventures!
About me:
I have lived in Chania, Crete, since 2016. As a local, I have an intimate knowledge of the island. I host culinary and concierge tours and experiences in Crete and write about the island for several travel media. During the last five years, I have helped many travelers plan the perfect holiday in Crete. I co-authored DK Eyewitness Top 10 Crete and had more glasses of frappe than any regular person could ever handle.
Amazing to take the kids along to such a informativway trip
That’s the way we want them to travel, and they enjoy it 🙂
i am literally on the look out like a ninja for ‘virgin’ olive oil might have to treat my parents to a meal and test the difference lol
Then Crete is a good place to go for the quest 😉
Such an interesting article about the Greek olive oil! It definitely makes a dish or especially a salad much better. I haven’t heard of this company but will keep an eye. I had to make my own research and read about the different types of olive oil when I go shopping. But it is great that you’ve explained it to people for easier shopping experience and getting the best product.
Thank you, it’s was fun and interesting to make this research. We really enjoyed it!
This would have been such a neat experience unique to Greece! I would love to taste all the flavors. I had no idea what extra virgin meant, neat to know!
Thanks for your comment. I am really glad this post makes the olive oil landscape a bit clearer for the consumer. Thanks a lot!!
Oh! As a mediterranean, nothing better than olive oil! And Creta seems a perfect place to learn about it 😉 i found it a nice family activity. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading and commenting, Esther. We are so blessed in the Mediterranean with our food… we sometimes forget how valuable that is.
This must have been an awesome experience. I am saying this not only because of the scenic location but because of the sheer antiquity of the cvilization in these regiions. And Olive of course was an integral part of the same.
Exactly, the region… all the island is so rich in traditions (also culinary ancient traditions), as well as history and archaeological sites (over a hundred), you’ve got to be very careful when planning if you want to have a good picture of it. Thanks for leaving your comment!!
For someone who’s not a fan of cooking or anything related to food (but eating), I find this interesting. I didn’t know there was a lot about Olive oil. 🙂 Thanks for the informative post, made me suddenly conscious of what I eat, haha.
I have come to stop enjoying cooking as well… Still I (like you) enjoy eating, mostly when flavors are genuine and authentic, and with Cretan olive oil this was the case. I enjoyed the visit, but I don’t have big plans for lots of cooking either 🙂
Olive oil actually makes an important ingredient into our cooking and it is really great to learn about its processing and traditional methods. It was interesting to know that there are different varieties and flavors too. Thanks for your tips on recognizing quality olive oil.
Thank you Rashmi for reading and taking the time to leave your impressions, much appreciated! 🙂
I stay up on the kitchen during wekeends when not traveling or writing. And I used to cook with olive oil and now you just gave me a lot of information I should have known from the beginning. Before, I thought having ‘Extra’ on the label means it went more processing as the usual. Had a good read, thanks!
Yes… it’s funny to learn than the “more extra” it reads, the less processed it’s going to be. Glad you liked it 🙂
Learned so much on this post. Not only that it’s entertaining, the way the descriptions were given is easy to grasp. Couldn’t help but think how the varieties of plants go well with each other.
Thank you so much for your comment, I really appreciate it! 🙂
So interesting! I’m a new reader and think its so great the experiences you are sharing with your children. I only wish my parents had done the same thing! Looking forward to clicking around your site some more! Safe travels!
The thing I love the most about this kind of trips with the kids is that, at the end of the trip, these are the experiences they tend to label as “my favorite part was…” 😀
WHoa, I didn’t know there is really much to learn about Olive oil. I like how the family-run business still continues with slow method of producing their Cretan olive oil. I would like to try the ones with lemons as well. To cap it off, thank you for giving us tips on how to recognize and buy good quality extra virgin olive oil. Now I know what to get next!
It was really my pleasure to write about this visit, it was a fun visit for all the family.
And… the quality was indeed superb 🙂
Thanks for the comment!
I am trying to imagine how it will taste. Here were get couple of varieties of olive oil but never have I seen the LemoniO. Definitely must be tangy and should go well with warm toasts.
It really goes well with everything, warm toasts is a good idea though! 😉
This is a very interesting and informative article. Loved reading about Olives the nuances of oil production. I would love to taste the LemoniO.
Thank you so much for your comment!
What a lovely day out with your kids. Its important they learn about how food is processed and made. We tend to avoid oil, but now I want lemonio on my hummos! Thank you for the tips on how to pick an olive oil.
What a great idea, I believe lemonio on hummus must be heavenly!! Thanks for your nice comment 🙂
Very interesting read! I only use olive oil in the kitchen but to this point I had no idea there are other important aspects beyond “extra” & “virgin” I should look into. It is sad to see mass production is slowly taking over small, family businesses everywhere in the world, yet great to see companies who focus on quality of their products over quantity. Thank you for sharing this post with us! 🙂
It’s true, mass production is making us disregard quality and is taking over family business. It’s good at least to be aware of what we buy so that we can make informed decisions. Thanks for commenting 🙂
Nice- One thing in that part of the world is the food. Fresh and just an awesome place for a clean and healthy meal. I need to go more often on Greek diet. Thanks for the tip on olive oil. Many Americans need to learn about that kind of stuff. Cheers.
Thanks! Indeed it is a very healthy diet.
As someone who has been to this part of the world and also fancy myself a (budding) chef, this looked like a super-interesting tour. The smells must have been incredible and it’s always a great party-piece when someone can recognize good olive oil! It’s also nice when a place keeps up the old traditions of production. Enjoyable post!
Thank you! Yes, the smells and fragrances were really incredible.
Nice one, you made me especially curious about LemoniO, I just wrote them to see if there is a way to buy it from Italy!
We have a big tradition too in oil making, also in my area, but sometimes when traditions are too deeply-rooted, it seems like there’s no room for experimentation… That’s why I’d really like to try LemoniO and NarantziO! 😀
Try to contact Chloe, she’s very approachable and nice. Lemonio won’t disappoint you 😉
If you can’t get it now, I might be able to send you a bottle once I’m back there by the end of the year 😀
Thanks a lot! I’ll try to contact Chloe and see if she can help me. Thanks again for your offer 😀
😀 No prob!!