In Crete, olive oil is living history, passed down from generation to generation. The art of olive oil making is inherited, felt and perfected over lifetimes.
Our grandfathers taught us to read the trees, to understand their subtle signs: when the olives have reached the perfect hue, how the soil smells before the first autumn rain, and when the wind whispers that the harvest has begun. This intuitive knowledge, that is a blend of instinct, patience, and respect for the land, shapes every step of our process, ensuring that each drop of oil carries the island’s essence.
Harvesting with care
When the olives reach their peak, we harvest them mostly by hand, as has been done for centuries. Every fruit is treated with care, ensuring it remains unbruised and full of flavor. The moment the olives leave the tree, they begin a swift journey to the mill, a race against time to preserve their vibrant aroma, polyphenols, and nutritional richness.
At the mill, the olives are cold-pressed, extracting their juice without heat or chemicals. This method, while modern in its precision, honors the ancient principles that have guided olive oil makers in Crete for millennia. The result is what locals call ‘prasinos chrisos — the “green gold.” Bright and lively, it is layered with flavor, complexity and the very spirit of the land.
A tradition of connection
For us, this “green gold” is far more than a product. Each harvest is a ritual. The time of the harvest is a celebration of patience, gratitude, and continuity. It connects us to those who came before, the hands that planted and nurtured these trees centuries ago, and to those who will continue the tradition long into the future.
At Eliva we care deeply about the land and the people behind the art of olive oil making, reason why we want to share these stories as strongly as we want every bottle to embody this lineage, capturing not only the taste of the olives but also the essence of the families who have tended them for generations. When you taste our olive oil, you become part of the story, a narrative written under the same Cretan sun that has kissed these groves for thousands of years.
Explore our products and add some drops of Crete to your dishes!
