Ranked the “Best Diet Overall” by U.S. News & World Report for the 7th year in a row in 2024, the Mediterranean diet’s health benefits are well known. But what exactly is this diet, and can everyone follow it? Harvard Professor Frank Hu has suggested that fusing it with a traditional Asian diet may make the Mediterranean diet more beneficial to more people.

At the Cretan Lifestyle Conference in Rethymno, Crete in November, Dr. Magda Tsolaki shared several types of evidence from a clinical trial to support her claim that extra virgin olive oil is “more promising than any drug being studied or any drug which already has been approved” for prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, as well as being safe and ready to use.

At the 2nd Cretan Lifestyle Conference in Rethymno in November, Harvard University professor of medicine Stefanos Kales suggested that the first Hellenic Olive Network be created. Several experts agreed to invite Greek scientists working on olive trees and their products, as well as interested companies and farmers’ associations, to join such a network.

The North American Olive Oil Association (NAOOA), whose members represent over half the olive oil sold in the USA, plans to commission the nation’s most comprehensive, rigorous olive oil testing study. In the spirit of collaboration, the NAOOA has invited other industry stakeholders to provide both strategic and financial support for this important project.

During the 2nd annual Cretan Lifestyle Conference in Rethymno, Crete, Greece, over 150 researchers and professionals gathered to discuss and experience one of the world’s healthiest lifestyles. Participants from 16 countries traveled to the birthplace of the Mediterranean diet for five days of stimulating presentations, Cretan cuisine, and exploration.  

Is olive oil expensive now? It depends on how you look at it. If you compare prices to a year or two ago, yes. If you consider the price per serving, the cost compared to other purchases, and extra virgin olive oil’s contributions to your food’s flavor and health benefits, no: we are not paying as much as this cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet is worth.

Two flourishing Cretan olive oil companies founded by Greek innovators have begun a unique new collaboration. Now working together in the olive mill at Biolea’s Astrikas Estate in Crete, Biolea and Pamako have presented Crete’s first restaurant in an olive mill and Greece’s first modern production line to operate alongside a stone mill and hydraulic press.

Olive oil has been a fundamental product in Greece since ancient times. This liquid gold (as Homer called it) has remained central to Greek cuisine, culture, economy, and history for millennia. Today, home cooks, chefs, foodies, and olive oil judges across the globe value Greek olive oil for both its exquisite flavor and its significant health benefits.

In 2019, two cousins living outside Crete decided to honor their ancestral roots on the island by reinvigorating family olive groves full of the native ancient Tsounati variety olive trees. Their dream was to create a premium extra virgin olive oil remarkable for both its flavor and aroma, and the eco-friendly cultivation of the olives used to make it.

Countless headlines proclaim the high price of olive oil. Climate change-induced heatwaves, droughts, floods, and fires have drastically reduced global olive oil production levels. Coupled with high prices for energy and labor, this has driven prices to record highs. So is olive oil worth what it costs? Yes: its flavor and health benefits make it priceless. 

After a megafire burned across the southern part of the regional unit of Evros in northeastern Greece for 17 days, olive farmers and experts are assessing losses and considering steps toward regeneration. Fires around the Dadia national park and the city of Alexandroupoli merged in the largest wildfire ever recorded in Europe, with devastating results. 

At the 2023 London International Olive Oil Competitions (IOOC), 20 judges from 12 countries awarded 144 prizes to Greek olive oils. In this contest with 863 entries, Greek olive oil competed with products from 34 countries in quality, health claim, and infused olive oil competitions. Fifteen Greek olive oils won the contest’s top award, platinum prizes.

The 2023 Kotinos olive oil competition awards ceremony was held on July 3 in the elegant neoclassical mansion of the Parnassos Literary Society in Athens. Praising the quality of Greek olive oils that entered the competition, jury leader Konstantinos Tsoronis noted that oils made from various Greek olive varieties, not only the common Koroneiki, won awards.

At the 8th edition of the Athena International Olive Oil Competition in 2023, 525 samples from 23 countries were assessed by 29 judges from 14 nations. Tasting the samples at this year’s competition base in Kavala, Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, northeastern Greece, the judges awarded 159 prizes to a diverse set of Greek extra virgin and flavored olive oils.

By the sea near the northeastern edge of Greece, the Michelis-Adamidis family has been growing local Makri variety olives since 1935. Developing their olive estate for generations, they began to introduce notable innovations decades ago. Today their award-winning Konos olive oil and table olives draw tourists to unique agrotourism and food pairing events.

With its base in the USA and its olive groves in Laconia, Greece, the Laconiko olive oil company has been ranked the most awarded producer of flavored olive oils in the world—not once, but twice—and among the top three another year. Laconiko’s healthy flavored olive oils make a wide range of tastes readily available for convenient use in American kitchens.  

With the tourist season underway in Greece, restaurants are welcoming visitors to enjoy the mouth-watering Greek dishes that delight diners from across the globe. Since Greek cuisine and the Mediterranean diet would hardly exist without olive oil, many believe this liquid gold should have a place of honor on restaurant tables, as Greek law now allows.

At a conference at the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania (MAICh) on June 12, ELIADA project partners reported on the utilization and promotion of the genetic material of Greek olive varieties. These scientists and innovators emphasized that the protection of this material is more imperative than ever as we face the effects of climate change.  

Have you ever wondered how you can enjoy the flavor and health benefits of the Mediterranean diet if you don’t live in the Mediterranean region and can’t get many Mediterranean products where you live? Scientists have not forgotten you. They have come up with an answer in the form of a “Planeterranean Diet” that adopts key concepts from the famous Med diet.

Greek olive oil companies earned 52 awards at the 2023 edition of the Olive Japan International Olive Oil Competition. In a contest with 710 entries from 24 countries, 17 judges from 11 nations awarded 21 gold prizes and 31 silvers to Greek olive oils. Mediterre Eurofood SA won the Best of Greece distinction for its Koroneiki variety Mediterre Alea.