In a remarkable achievement for Greek cuisine, the olive oil from Phiniki, Laconia, has secured the 2nd position in the global ranking of olive oils, as reported by the culinary guide Taste Atlas. This prestigious guide has unveiled a list of the 100 best olive oils in the world, with an impressive 34 of them hailing from Greece, primarily sourced from regions in the Peloponnese and Crete.
The Phiniki olive oil is celebrated for its exceptional quality, derived from a blend of Koroneiki (70%), Tsounati (25%), and Asprolia (5%) olives, cultivated in the unique microclimate and limestone-rich soils of the Phiniki area. Its aromatic profile evokes the scent of freshly cut grass, while its flavor is characterized by fruity and peppery notes. The olives are harvested at their peak ripeness, showcasing a color range from yellow-green to violet. They are promptly transported to olive mills, where the oil is extracted using a cold-press mechanical method.
The final product is a greenish-yellow olive oil with golden highlights, perfect for raw consumption, as a dressing for various Greek salads, or for culinary applications.
The top prize went to the Azeite de Trás-os-Montes, a traditional olive oil with Protected Designation of Origin from the northeastern region of Portugal, known for its rich history in olive cultivation.
Completing the top ten rankings are:
- 3rd place: Kalamata olive oil
- 4th place: Olympia olive oil
- 5th place: Samos olive oil
- 6th place: Sitia, Lasithi, Crete olive oil
- 7th place: Chania olive oil
- 8th place: Kolymvari, Chania olive oil
- 9th place: Preveza olive oil
- 10th place: Italian Riveria Ligure from the Liguria region.
For those interested in exploring the complete list of top olive oils, further details can be found on the Taste Atlas website.
