Greek Olive Oil

Greek Olive Oil – pure, fresh and full of life

There’s something magical about being in Greece at this time of year, when the new olive oil has just been pressed. In Methoni, Kyparissia and on Zakynthos I was lucky enough to taste it straight from the mill — vibrant green, peppery, and alive with flavor. And every time, it’s the same little olive behind it all: the Koroneiki. Small, but full of strength and character.

A slice of bread, plenty of fresh Koroneiki oil and a glass of wine… honestly, what more do you need? This is Greece at its best — simple, honest, and full of passion for good food and good company.

When I travel through these regions, I can’t help but feel inspired. Watching families work the same groves their grandparents once did, smelling the fresh oil as it flows — it’s impossible not to fall in love with it. And that’s exactly what I want my guests to experience too: real Greece, through its taste, its people and its olive trees.

Did you know that Greece has more than 170 million olive trees? That’s more than one for every person. Olive oil isn’t just a product here; it’s part of daily life. Every Greek uses on average more than 13 - 15 litres of olive oil per year, the highest in the world. To compare: Spaniards use about 10 litres, Italians around 8, and in Northern Europe it’s often less than one.

Greece may be the third largest producer in Europe, after Spain and Italy, but it stands out for its quality — about 80% of all Greek olive oil is extra virgin. That says it all: purity, flavour and tradition in every drop.

Greek PDO Olive Oils — A Reflection of Terroir and Tradition

Greece produces a remarkable variety of PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) olive oils, each reflecting the unique terroir, climate, and olive variety of its region. From the sun-drenched hills of Crete to the gentle slopes of the Peloponnese and the Ionian Islands, these oils embody centuries of cultivation and craftsmanship. The PDO label guarantees authenticity, regional origin, and traditional production methods — ensuring that every drop tells the story of its land.

Greek Olive Varieties with PDO Olive Oil

Not all Greek olive varieties are used to produce PDO olive oil. Some are table olives or blended oils. Below is an overview of the varieties that produce PDO-certified olive oil and their respective regions.

1. Koroneiki

➡️ Main PDO regions:

• Kalamata PDO (Messinia, Peloponnese)

• Sitia Lasithiou Kritis PDO (Eastern Crete)

• Kolymvari Chanion Kritis PDO (Western Crete)

• Viannos PDO (Southern Crete)

• Zakynthos PDO (Ionian Islands)

• Kranidi PDO (Argolis)

• Laconia PDO (Peloponnese)

✅ Note: Koroneiki is the dominant olive variety for Greek PDO olive oil. Most internationally awarded Greek olive oils are made from Koroneiki.

2. Manaki

➡️ Main PDO regions:

• Kranidi PDO (Argolis – often blended with Koroneiki)

• Laconia PDO

• Attiki PDO

✅ Note: Often blended with Koroneiki, but in some regions it has its own PDO status as a local specialty.

3. Lianolia

➡️ Main PDO regions:

• Corfu PDO

✅ Note: Lianolia from Corfu produces a softer, elegant oil with a lower acidity level.

4. Megaritiki

➡️ Main PDO regions:

• Attiki PDO

• Viotia PDO

✅ Note: Less known internationally, but recognized in local PDO oils around Athens and Central Greece.

❌ Not PDO for Olive Oil (but PDO for Table Olives)

These varieties are important but used exclusively as table olives under PDO certification:

• Kalamon: Table olive, PDO only as “Kalamata Olive.”

• Amfissa / Konservolia: PDO only for table olives, not for oil.

• Chalkidiki: PDO only for green stuffed table olives.

• Throumba: PDO for naturally wrinkled dried olives (e.g., Throumba Thassos PDO).

🫒 Summary Table

	PDO Olive Oil	Main PDO Regions
Koroneiki	✅ Yes	Kalamata, Sitia, Kolymvari, Zakynthos, Kranidi
Manaki	✅ Yes	Kranidi, Laconia, Attiki
Lianolia	✅ Yes	Corfu, Preveza
Megaritiki	✅ Yes	Attiki, Viotia
Kalamon	❌ Only table olive	Kalamata PDO (table)
Amfissa	❌ Only table olive	Amfissa PDO (table)
Chalkidiki	❌ Only table olive	Chalkidiki PDO (table)
Throumba	❌ Only table olive	Thassos PDO (table)