Greek Winners at Olive Japan Commit to Quality, the Planet

Details: Published: 24 June 2024

At the 13th edition of the Olive Japan International Olive Oil Competition, the largest olive oil contest in Asia and Oceania, Greek olive oils took home 7 Gold awards and 17 Silvers. With 766 entries from 28 countries competing, 20 judges from 11 countries determined that over 63% of Greek entries deserved awards, even in this very challenging crop year.

Goutis Estate was the top Greek winner this year with three Gold awards and five Silvers for their extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs) from Ilia (Elis), Peloponnese. Their Golds were awarded for two Koroneiki extra virgin olive oils and one Koroneiki-Manaki EVOO blend, while they claimed Silvers for one Koroneiki EVOO and four different extra virgin olive oil blends containing Koroneiki and Manaki olive oils, with Makri and Lianolia olive oils added to the blends in two cases.

Another big winner from Greece was Melissa Kikizas SA’s Terra Creta from the island of Crete, with three Gold awards, one for their Terra Creta Grand Cru Koroneiki EVOO, and two more for their Terra Creta Infusions, one infused with garlic and another with basil. Emmanouil Karpadakis emphasizes that for Melissa Kikizas both quality and consistency are very important, “along with our commitment to producing high-quality extra virgin olive oil in a significant volume so more and more consumers can enjoy and appreciate flavorful Terra Creta EVOO.”

Karpadakis explains that Terra Creta’s many international awards reflect 12 months of attentive hard work from their whole team, from the olive grove to the mill, from quality control to bottling and storage, since every detail at every step makes a difference in their olive oil’s flavor and aroma. The people on Terra Creta’s team share an openness to learning new things and applying what they have learned about the best ways to proceed, often incorporating beneficial innovations, always with a strong commitment to high quality.

Coming from another island, Jordan Olive Oil’s organic and conventionally grown blends of Kolovi and Adramitiani olive oils from Lesvos captured one Gold award and two Silvers. As Bastian Jordan explained to Greek Liquid Gold, his team’s cultivation practices emphasize biodiversity and sustainability. “We do not water the olives, allowing the trees' deep roots to thrive in fertile soil.” Moreover, he said, “our commitment to quality and sustainability extends to our partnerships with other farming families, providing stability and ensuring the best cultivation practices over generations. We are families who cherish life on Lesvos and are proud to be part of the island's millennia-old olive tradition.” This began with Bastian Jordan’s grandparents, who immigrated to Lesvos from Germany in the late 1980s and began cultivating olives there, eventually collaborating with the Protoulis family.

Jordan believes “our success stems from a blend of traditional methods, cutting-edge technology, and a constant drive to improve every day.” Feeling “a profound connection to the land and our craft,” they are creative in their drive for greater sustainability: their olive byproducts are used to make knife handles, stools, and benches. As Jordan adds, “in a time when the world faces expensive olive oil and violent conflicts, our focus remains on supporting sustainable agriculture, fair trade, and community resilience. These efforts are what truly matter, as they contribute to a more equitable and peaceful world.”

Three Silver awards went to EVOOs from another environmentally-conscious company in Lesvos, Falcon SA. Three of their Ol’eve Organic monovarietal extra virgin olive oils won prizes. Nana Kanakaki told Greek Liquid Gold her company’s team is “dedicated to redefining the production and perception of extra virgin olive oil” with “a state-of-the-art olive mill and an innovative approach to agriculture, including the use of seaweed compost to nourish our olive trees” and improve olive oil quality. Kanakaki explained that their “estate, once a desertified, barren land, now thrives as a sustainable olive grove with 50,000 olive trees alongside a diverse mix of 20,000 other trees, birds, and animals, creating a bustling biodiversity hub. This transformation supports the production of premium quality extra virgin olive oil and showcases our commitment to environmental recovery.”

Kanakaki feels that their awards from international competitions “highlight our ability to produce exceptional EVOO under challenging conditions by respecting and leveraging nature's gifts. This achievement holds particular significance in today’s context, where the price of olive oil reflects both the labor-intensive nature of sustainable agriculture and the complexities of global supply chains affected by economic and geopolitical tensions.” Kanakaki considers the cost and the effort truly worthwhile, since they “contribute to the planet's restoration.” In fact, she believes “our olive oil is not just a product, but also a testament to what can be achieved when nature is treated as a partner in production.”

Once nature’s work and producers’ work have been completed, companies turn to marketing and distribution, and Olive Japan offers winners support with these activities. Japanese consumers and buyers can read judges’ comments about the award winning oils’ flavors and aromas and find out where to buy them in an official Olive Japan e-book. The Olive Oil Marche fair for Olive Japan winners, which thousands of consumers visit each year, also helps olive oil companies “become more visible in Japan,” suggested Tunisian judge Naziha Grati Kammoun. This is particularly useful since Japan is the fourth largest market for olive oil imports worldwide, according to the International Olive Council, and consumption is continuing to increase there.

“The oldest and most prestigious” olive oil competition in the country, according to Spanish judge Agusti Romero, Olive Japan is organized by Mr. Toshiya Tada and the Olive Oil Sommelier Association of Japan (OSAJ), Japan’s only professional organization for training and certifying olive oil experts. OSAJ is independent from all olive and olive oil companies.

GREEK WINNERS AT OLIVE JAPAN, 2024

Notes on flavor and aroma are available on an Excel document on Olive Japan’s website.

Gold Awards

Company – Olive Oil Name – Style – Cultivars

AMACS - Goutis Estate – Sea Breeze – Medium Monovarietal – Koroneiki
AMACS - Goutis Estate – Balanced – Medium Blend – Koroneiki, Manaki
AMACS - Goutis Estate – Breeze – Medium Monovarietal – Koroneiki
Jordan Olivenöl Gmbh – Jordan Olivenöl - Nativ Extra – Delicate Blend – Kolovi, Adramitiani
Melissa-Kikizas SA – Terra Creta Grand Cru Koroneiki EVOO – Medium Monovarietal – Koroneiki
Melissa-Kikizas SA – Terra Creta Infusions, Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Natural Infused Garlic – Flavored Monovarietal – Koroneiki
Melissa-Kikizas SA – Terra Creta Infusions, Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Natural Infused Basil – Flavored Monovarietal – Koroneiki

Silver Awards

Company – Olive Oil Name – Style – Cultivars

8k Greek Olive Oils – 8k Greek Olive Oils - Koroneiki – Medium Monovarietal – Koroneiki
Agriston Trade Ltd – Argilos I Early – Robust Monovarietal – Chalkidikis
Falcon SA – Oleve Organic Early Harvest – Robust Monovarietal – Kalamon
Falcon SA – Oleve Organic Early Harvest Kolovi Variety – Robust Monovarietal – Kolovi
Falcon SA – Oleve Organic Faros Sigri – Medium Monovarietal – Adramytini
AMACS - Goutis Estate – Bella Vista – Medium Monovarietal – Koroneiki
AMACS - Goutis Estate – Premium – Medium Blend – Koroneiki, Manaki
AMACS - Goutis Estate – Blossom – Medium Blend – Koroneiki, Manaki, Makri, Lianolia
AMACS - Goutis Estate – Miller's Blend – Medium Blend – Koroneiki, Manaki
AMACS - Goutis Estate – Sakura – Medium Blend – Koroneiki, Manaki, Makri, Lianolia
Hellenic Agricultural Enterprises – L&Ko Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Delicate Monovarietal – Kolovi
Hellenic Fields Ltd – Ena Ena Organic PGI Olympia – Medium Monovarietal – Koroneiki
Hellenic Fields Ltd – Ena Ena Three Roots Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Medium Blend – Koroneiki, Manaki, Athinolia
Jordan Olivenöl Gmbh – Jordan Bio Olivenöl - Nativ Extra – Delicate Blend – Kolovi, Adramitiani
Jordan Olivenöl Gmbh – Jordan Olivenöl - Bambatsa - Nativ Extra – Medium Blend – Kolovi, Adramitiani
Ktima Lymperis IKE – Askra the Valley of Muses – Medium Monovarietal – Megaritiki
Sparta Gourmet – Sparta Gourmet – Medium Monovarietal – Koroneiki

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Selected Future Events

NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition (New York International Olive Oil Competition)
New York, USA. Only extra virgin olive oils will be considered. Samples are due by April 1, 2024 for Northern Hemisphere entries; Southern Hemisphere samples will be accepted July 1 to October 1, 2024. See the website for detailed instructions and information.

Selected Past Events

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"With 90 awards earned at the 2023 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, producers from Greece reaffirmed their devotion to quality."
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"Despite a challenging harvest season, producers, farmers and bottlers from across Greece combined to earn a total of 79 awards at the 2022 NYIOOC."
Producers Across Greece Continue to Celebrate NYIOOC Triumphs
"Winners from Greece continue to share their enthusiasm for their record number of NYIOOC awards, a sign that the Greek olive oil sector is alive and well."
Producers from Peloponnese Shine at NYIOOC World Competition
Nice vignettes by Costas Vasilopoulos featuring a few of the Greek winners at the New York International Olive Oil Competition.
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Four Greek olive oil companies were ranked among the top ten healthy extra virgin olive oils at the unusual World’s Best Healthy EVOO Contest in Spain.
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These are the Greek winners at the famous NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition for 2020. For more about some of the Greek winners, see also Greek Producers Achieve Record Wins at NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition and Greek Producers Continue to Celebrate Record Year at 2020 NYIOOC.
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In spite of poor weather and trouble with pests, Greek producers took home a total of 35 awards at the 2019 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition.
Greek Award Winners Already Looking to Repeat
"With the historically poor harvest season behind them, Greek producers who managed a win in New York are setting their sights on brand building and achieving consistent quality."
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The COOC has been instrumental in elevating the extra virgin olive oils produced in Crete; here are some of the brands to look out for.
Aristoleo Awards 2019 winners
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Greek producers like these New York International Olive Oil Competition winners have studied modern olive oil production methods and engaged in the persistent efforts necessary to make some of the world's best olive oils.
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Kyklopas on top at the Kalamata Olive Oil Contest Awards
At the 4th Panhellenic Olive and Olive Oil Festival, which is organized by the Kalamata Agricultural Cooperative in cooperation with the regional and local government and other groups, important issues and food pairings were discussed, three people were honored for their contributions to the olive sector, and the Kalamata Olive Oil Awards were presented.
4th Cretan Olive Oil Competition Highlights Sophistication of Crete’s Oils
Thanks to science, experimental new methods and minute attention to detail, olive oil producers on Crete are forging new paths with an age-old product.
Aristoleo Awards 2018 (Results for High Phenolic Olive Oil)
The winners of these awards produce especially healthy, high phenolic extra virgin olive oils. This is a good list to check out for particularly spicy olive oils full of health benefits. Awards ceremony at the 2nd Annual Aristoleo Conference “The Future of Olive Oil,” April 27-28, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Healthy Greek Olive Oils Awarded at Convention in Spain
When the Oleocanthal International Society convened last month, healthy Greek extra virgin olive oils won several awards at the World Best Healthy EVOO Contest and the Health and Food Awards, and scientists discussed research related to olive oil polyphenols.
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First notes and photos from Cyprus about the recent conference focused on ultra-healthy high phenolic extra virgin olive oils, with awards presented to some of the healthiest olive oils in the world, including many from Greece and others made by Greek Cypriots.
Greek Olive Oil Producers React to NYIOOC Wins
Producers, marketers, and exporters of this year's best Greek olive oils share what their New York International Olive Oil Competition awards mean to them, how they manage to produce olive oils good enough to earn top honors, and how this fits in with their company philosophies.
Aristoleo Awards 2017 “Tasted, Tested & True” Winners
"EVOOs were awarded by variety according 3 high phenolic types: Organic, Traditional, & Wild and based on the concentration of polyphenols in the 3 categories: TOTAL PHENOLS, OLEOCANTHAL & OLEACEIN, and OLEOCANTHAL." Many Greek EVOOs were winners.
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The third edition of the competition had more entries and a higher percentage of organic olive oils than in previous years.
21 Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oils Win Great Taste Awards
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The Oleocanthal International Society Conference and Olympia Health & Nutrition Awards featured breakthroughs in olive oil research, a new olive tree varietal, and an olive oil competition for high-phenolic oils.
Los Angeles Extra Virgin Olive Oil Awards: Awards by Country
Here is a list of award-winning companies from the 2016 Los Angeles International Extra Virgin Olive Oil Competition. Notice, for example Village Batch’s Best of Class Gold Medal and the Gold Medals of PJ Kabos (2 of them) and Laconiko.
Producers of the Best Greek Olive Oils React to Their NYIOOC Awards
Award-winning Greek producers discuss their reactions to the New York International Olive Oil Competition results and their efforts to produce the best olive oils in the world.
World’s Best Olive Oils 2016: Search Results for Greece
Here is a list of award-winning Greek companies from the 2016 New York International Olive Oil Competition (where some non-Greek companies happen to show up). See the article above for more details about the top Greek winners.
BIOL 2016 International Competition for Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oils
Toward the bottom of this page, you’ll find the lists of Silver, Gold, and Extra Gold medals for this competition in Puglia, Italy in March, with Greek companies on each list under the country “Grecia.” Note that Kyklopas, Olvia Green, and Mythocia won Extra Gold Medals.
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The 2nd Cretan Olive Oil Competition took place March 19 to 20 in Rethymno, Crete, awarding prizes for the best standardized conventional and organic Cretan extra virgin olive oils from the 2015-16 production season.
Kotinos International Olive Oil Competition
If you click on the final word at the end of the paragraph on the linked page, it will take you to a list—unfortunately only in Greek—of the winners of the 2016 Kotinos competition in Athens.
Crete Gets its Own Olive Oil Competition
The first Cretan Olive Oil Competition (in 2015) sought to promote high-quality Cretan olive oil brands and the special characteristics of the best Cretan olive oils, to improve their position in the local and global markets, and to upgrade the overall quality of Cretan oils by developing the expertise of participants.