London International Olive Oil Competition: Greek Winners

Details: Published: 31 May 2017

Pantelis Fanourgakis with his olive oil in front of a backdrop about the London Olive Oil Competitions

For the first time, an established mainstream international olive oil competition (IOOC) included not only quality and design contests, but also a health claim competition focused on olive oils’ health benefits as well as their taste. The competition was the 2017 London IOOC, where many Greek extra virgin olive oils were recognized for their merits.

Greek olive oils captured a Platinum Health Claim Award, 15 Health Claim and Quality Gold Awards, 32 Silvers, and many more Bronze and Design Awards. Some of the top Greek winners shared their thoughts with Greek Liquid Gold.

Health Claim Awards

Aiming “to showcase and promote the health protective properties of high phenolic EVOOs (extra virgin olive oils), combined with a good taste profile,” the London Health Claim competition included a health benefit score (70%, based on the phenolic concentration) and a taste score (30%).

Pantelis Fanourgakis told Greek Liquid Gold that his family was “very proud of our Platinum Award in the Health Claim competition” for their Fanourgakis Family P.D.O. Messara EVOO, because “it was the first time that a Greek extra virgin olive oil got such a high distinction in an international competition” this year.

Crediting “a strictly scientific approach” to the entire olive oil cultivation and production process for their success, Fanourgakis was delighted that “we managed to win the first award and to prove to the whole world that we are able to have excellent taste along with a top level of health-protective characteristics.” He hopes his family’s achievement will help pave the way for “the global recognition of the top quality Greek EVOOs” that are both tasty and deserving of the health claim described in European regulation 432/2012.

Nikos Charamis of Kasell SA mentioned to Greek Liquid Gold that their Phileos EVOO’s Gold Health Claim Award and Bronze Award for Quality “confirm and reward the work that was carried out successfully and consistently by Kasell and its members,” who are always focused on “pursuing quality, systematically and not once or by chance.” Charamis is especially proud that his company produced approximately 4,000 metric tons of “the same top quality,” healthy Phileos EVOO—a much larger quantity than many Greek companies manage.

Michalis Pachnos of Arbor Beata, another winner of a Gold Health Claim Award and a Bronze for Quality for their organic early harvest EVOO, emphasized that olive oil “is a tasty food, the ‘heart’ of the Mediterranean diet and the health benefits associated with it.” Pachnos wants consumers to understand EVOO’s “indisputable health advantages, compared to the rest of the edible vegetable oils.” He adds, “the Mediterranean diet and olive oil are more than a dietary habit”; they are “a cornerstone of our culture, and we need to preserve and disseminate them.”

Many olive oil producers agree, and act on that belief. Gold Health Claim Award winner E-la-won early harvest EVOO and its company’s managing director, Ioannis Kampouris, have received awards elsewhere for collaborating in gastronomy developments and for the support of scientific research on olive oil and health, as well as for E-la-won’s flavor, health benefits, and packaging. E-la-won is popular with many chefs in Greece, Europe, and the United Arab Emirates.

For Eftychios Androulakis of Pamako Mountain EVOO, winner of another Health Claim Gold Award, “olive oil is a hyperfood, not a superfood or just a food.” Like Androulakis, many olive oil producers work very hard to achieve high quality, paying attention to small details because of their “true passion for quality olive juice.” However, Androulakis is unusual in performing many different experiments every year to determine the best way to produce the best possible EVOO, considering variations in weather conditions and different cultivation and production methods.

Quality Awards

The top Greek winner in the Quality Awards at the London IOOC this year was Charalampos Papadelis, who won Gold Awards for both Sapfo Limited Edition -- which also captured a Bronze Design Award for Total Image – and Sapfo EVOO, blends of Adramitiani and Kolovi EVOOs from Mytilene, Lesvos. Papadelis informed Greek Liquid Gold that “the secret is to control every stage of production,” as his family business does. His olive oil’s name, Sapfo, was inspired by the renowned ancient Greek poet Sappho, and the shape of the bottle’s tag “was inspired by ancient pottery pieces.”

3 black Sapfo olive oil bottles, one in front of the other two

Ellie Tragakes of Hellenic Agricultural Enterprises told Greek Liquid Gold that “winning not only Gold with our Acaia flagship oil but also Silver for Acaia Organic is very gratifying” in their first competition in London. They “feel this is a great accomplishment in view of the well known difficulties of this year's harvest” and “are confident that winning top awards on both sides of the Atlantic, in the Pacific, as well as in the Mediterranean will surely support Acaia's growing worldwide recognition.”

Similarly, Dimitris Andriotis and his team hope their Gold Quality Award for Kopos, an Adramitiani-Kolovi EVOO blend, can act as “something like a passport for the markets.” Founded by his grandfather over half a century ago, the Andriotis company’s many years of hard work, respect for the producer, and respect for the consumer have led to exports to the USA, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. Andriotis believes it “is very important to protect and promote Greek EVOO” and give people the chance to taste it so it can become better known.

Apostolos Tzannos of Νοοs Trade earned both a Bronze Award for Label Design and a Gold Award for Quality for Biotopos, an early harvest, dry farmed, unfiltered organic Koroneiki EVOO produced using “an ultra-modern milling process.” Tzannos explained to Greek Liquid Gold that he and his team insist “on excellent quality and absolute respect for the environment that feeds us,” including the birds and birds’ nests they discover and protect in their organic olive groves. “Honoring nature’s offering, we choose to contribute by producing a product which offers the gift of well-being.”

Noos Biotopos olive oil bottle with olive branches and white box

Elisavet Titaki and her team won a Gold Award for Quality for Eliama Daily Value, a Koroneiki EVOO. Titaki told Greek Liquid Gold that olive oil is important in all aspects of Greek life, “in Birth, Baptism, Marriage, and Death, as a sacred means of nutrition, and also in our relationship with the Superior Power. I remember my grandfather and grandmother carrying the fresh olive oil from the factory to the house with such loyalty and reverence. It was the most important part of their diet. Without this they would not survive. For us olive oil was and is not just a high-value food, but something more. This is God’s and nature’s gift to us on earth!”

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Thanks to all the winners who responded to my questions, and thanks to Pantelis Fanourgakis, Charalampos Papadelis, and Apostolos Tzannos for photos of their companies' products.

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Complete List of Greek Winners in the
London IOOC Health Claim and Quality Competitions

Health Claim Awards

Platinum

Padeleimon Fanourgakis -- Fanourgakis Family P.D.O. Messara -- Koroneiki

Gold

Arbor Beata -- Arbor Beata -- Koroneiki
E-La-Won -- E-La-Won -- Koroneiki
Kasell SA – Phileos -- Koroneiki
Eftychios Androulakis -- Pamako Mountain EVOO --Tsounati
Agricultural Cooperative of Imera-Kozani -- Imera Olive Oil -- Megaritiki-Koroneiki

Silver

The Greek Olive Estate Ltd. -- Stagona Zois-Drop Of Life -- Olympia
Elaeon Bio Green Olive Oil – Elaion -- Lianoelia
Krimnianiotis Nikolaos -- Liva Olive Oil -- Koroneiki
Minoan Gaia P.C. -- Miterra-My Earth -- Koroneiki
Zotou Aikaterini-Golden Tree -- Wildathos Agoureleo P.D.O. Chalkidikis Golden Tree -- Agrielia-Chondroelia-Chalkidikis
Blauel -- Mani Blauel -- Koroneiki
Milestone Olive Oil-Konstantinos Mammasis -- Milestone Olive Oil -- Koroneiki Organic

Bronze

Mpoumis Pan.-Nikolaos -- Zhn Extra Virgin Oil -- Manaki
Dafnis Spiros -- The Governor Premium Limited Edition -- Lianoelia
North Corfu Farm -- Peritheia-Niorantes -- Lianoelia

Quality Awards

Gold

Papadelis Charalampos -- Sapfo Limited Edition -- Adramitiani-Kolovi
Hellenic Agricultural Enterprises – Acaia -- Kolovi
Metamorphosis – Metamorphosis -- Athinoelia-Koroneiki
Titaki Elisavet -- Eliama Daily Value – Koroneiki
Papadelis Charalampos – Sapfo -- Adramitiani-Kolovi
Protogeraki Bros – Liokarpi – Koroneiki
Roumeliotis Christodoulos -- Elaikos -- Chalkidikis-Thasou-Koroneiki
Νοοs Trade -- Biotopos -- Koroneiki
D.Andriotis & G.Andriotis – Kopos -- Adramitiani-Kolovi
Olive Cooperative of Maronia -- The Land of Kikones – Maronitiki

Silver

Madenidis Panagiotis -- Madenidis Olive Oil -- Maronitiki
Hellenic Fine Oils -- Sparta Gold -- Koroneiki
Energaea Dimas Marakis & Co – Plinthos -- Koroneiki
Protouli Rafteli & Co -- Aegean Gold-- Kolovi
Pasalis S.A. -- Alexandros Olive Grove -- Koroneiki
Tzortzis Michael -- Eleon Tzortzis Family -- Adramitini-Kolovi
Greka Icons S.A. -- Navarino Icons -- Koroneiki
Diamantopoulos Alexandros – Oileus -- Koroneiki
Mpoumis P. Nikolaos -- Zhn Extra Virgin Oil -- Manaki
Hellenic Agricultural Enterprises -- Acaia Organic -- Kolovi
Gay Christian – St.Spanos – Kykladi -- Koroneiki
Mamarelis Dimitrios – Deladi -- Amfisis
Great Stories -- 39/22 Koroneiki -- Koroneiki
Milionis Ilias -- Milionis Olive Mill -- Koroneiki
Nature Blessed PC -- Nature Blessed -- Chalkidikis-Amfisis-Petroelia-Koroneiki
Blauel Ltd -- Mani Blauel -- Koroneiki
Malva-Maroulakos Nikolaos -- Manoli Canoli -- Athinoelia-Koroneiki
Kidonakis Bros -- Oleum Crete -- Koroneiki
Falcon SA -- Ol-Eve -- Kolovi-Adramitiani
Prifri Bros -- Mesi Gaia -- Klonara-Koroneiki
Amacs Administration Management -- Goutis Estate Sea Breeze -- Koroneiki
Ladologic E.E. -- Alexandra’s Greek Extra -- Athinoelia-Koroneiki
Nikolakopoulos Antonios -- Greek Pony Farm -- Koroneiki
Cooperative Olive Oils of Lesvos -- Lesvos Gold -- Kolovi

Bronze

Tsangaris N. Georgios -- Olive Oil Stories -- Koroneiki
Botzakis S.A. – Ousia -- Koroneiki
Asopos Groves -- Asopos Groves-- Koroneiki
Ziro Sitias -- Ziro Eleolado Sitias -- Koroneiki
Papadogeorgopoulos Giorgos -- Peftasteri -- Koroneiki
Malva-Maroulakos Nikolaos -- Malva -- Athinoelia-Koroneiki
Panagiotopoulos James -- PJ Kabos -- Koroneiki
Kirakis Vasileios -- Olvion – Manaki
Fanourgakis Padeleimon -- Fanourgakis Family PDO -- Koroneiki
Theotoki S.A. -- Ktima Theotoki -- Kerkiraiki Lianoelia
Spiliakopoulou Maria -- Oliorama Exclusive -- Koroneiki-Kollyroki
Cooperative Krokees Lakonias -- Krokees Lakonias -- Koroneiki
Fragopoulos Giorgos -- Oilon Organic Virgin Extra -- Kolovi
Kasimis Angelos -- Moires Extra Virgin Olive Oil -- Koroneiki
Malliotaki Maria -- Elasion -- Koroneiki
Great Stories -- 39/22 Manaki -- Manaki
Sabali Anna-Zizel -- Sampali Fine Products -- Koroneiki
Sparta Groves -- Sparta Groves -- Koroneiki
MFSA Oleagroves -- Oleajuice -- Manaki
Energaea-Dimas Marakis & Co -- Thalea -- Koroneiki
Skiathiti Kerasia -- Greenolia Premium -- Koroneiki-Manaki
Kouveli Areti -- Etolea -- Koroneiki
Papadopoulos Konstantinos -- Mythocia Olympia PGI -- Koroneiki
Asmarianaki Maria -- Physis of Crete -- Koroneiki
Faklaris Bros SA -- Argolis -- Koroneiki
Arbor Beata -- Arbor Beata -- Koroneiki
Philippos Hellenic Foods -- Philippos Bio Organic -- Koroneiki
Vasdeki Sofia -- Rhizoma Olive Oil -- Koroneiki
Agricultural Fields of Kritsa -- Kritsa 0.3 -- Koroneiki
Tsarouxis Stratos -- Etolia -- Koutsoroelia
Tzavaras Spiros -- Spiros O2 PDO -- Koroneiki
Oleum Priorat Sccl -- Oleum Priorat -- Arbequina
Drakia Alexandra -- Luxury Oil -- Koroneiki
Leykon S.L. -- Leykon -- Mastoelia
Skoura Maria -- Ladi Marias -- Manaki
Markou J.P. & Co -- Elia -- Koroneiki
Foufas Bros SA -- “Ω” -- Koroneiki
Hellenic Fields -- Ena Ena -- Koroneiki
Heri Me Heri E.E. -- Heri Me Heri -- Koroneiki
Tzianoudakis Giorgos -- Cretanthos -- Koroneiki
Skarpalezou X.A. G.P -- Immortalitas -- Koroneiki
Seferlis Christos -- Seferlis Estates/Sparta Gourmet -- Athinoelia-Koroneiki
Co-Operative Olive Oil of Lesvos -- Lesvos Gold Organic -- Koroneiki
Vivelia M Ike -- Vivelia -- Koroneiki
Konstas Olive Oil -- Konstas -- Koroneiki
Amphora Olympia -- Amphora Olive Press -- Koroneiki
Evripidis S.L. -- Plora Prince of Crete -- Koroneiki
Krimnianiotis Nikolaos -- Liva Olive Oil -- Koroneiki
Sellas Olive Oil Trade Ltd -- Sellas Extra Virgin Olive Oil -- Koroneiki
Theodoros Zoris -- Eleagros -- Koutsoroelia
Sofia Kordouli -- Kukuzi -- Patrinia
Raykeia Gi -- Rafkialand PC -- Koroneiki
Voliotis Apostolos -- Elaiolado Piliou Oikogeneia Volioti -- Amfisis
Konstas Olive Oil -- Protogenes -- Athinoelia-Manaki
Nikolopoulos Stavros -- Nikolopoulos Estate Oliv -- Koroneiki
Xalantas Petros Mixahl -- Stagona -- Tsounati
The Cretan Olive Mill SA -- Premium by Almpantakis Family -- Koroneiki
Kasell -- Phileos -- Koroneiki

See here for the many Greek Design Award winners.

Comments

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

Olympia Health & Nutrition Awards Honor High Phenolic EVOOs
The 9th Olympia Health & Nutrition Awards ceremony continued the international recognition of high phenolic extra virgin olive oil and its health benefits.
Greek Producers Celebrate Successful Finish to Historically Low Harvest
"Farmers and millers in Greece earned 56 awards at the 2024 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition after the worst harvest in a decade."
Buoyed by Bountiful Harvest, High Prices, Greek Producers Celebrate a Strong Showing in New York
"With 90 awards earned at the 2023 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, producers from Greece reaffirmed their devotion to quality."
Greek Producers Enjoy Another Triumphant Showing in World Competition
"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.
Greek Olive Oils Rank among Contest’s Top Ten Healthy EVOOs
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.
In Record Haul, 99 Greek Brands Awarded at World Olive Oil Competition
"With the highest ever turnout from Greece, producers from Crete were among the most successful at this year’s NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition."
Best Olive Oils from Greece (NYIOOC 2020)
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.
Greeks Discuss Effort and Dedication Behind NYIOOC Triumphs
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."
Cretan Olive Oil Competition Highlights Best Producers
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
A list of the very healthy, high phenolic winners of the Aristoleo Awards for extra virgin olive oil and table olives, with a chart showing different uses for olive oils according to their phenolic content.
More Greek Winners Reflect on Their NYIOOC Awards
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.
54 Greek Olive Oils Awarded at NYIOOC
Costas Vasilopoulos spoke with several Greek winners at the 2018 New York International Olive Oil Competition, where Greece won more awards and more gold awards than it ever had before.
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.
Beyond Organic Beyond Extra Virgin High Phenolic EVOOs Go Global
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.
3rd Cretan Olive Oil Competition: Impressive Results in a Difficult Year
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
Twenty-one Greek extra virgin olive oils and two Greek flavored olive oils received Great Taste Awards in the United Kingdom this year.
Ten Big Awards for Greek Olive Oils at OLIVINUS Competition
Seven Greek olive oil companies won 10 of the awards at one of the world’s most eminent extra virgin olive oil contests, the OLIVINUS competition in Argentina.
Olive Oil Innovations, Discoveries, and Breakthroughs in Ancient Olympia
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.
2nd Olive Oil Competition Highlights Cretan Brands
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.