A Gift from the Ancient Gods: Olive Oil
In My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Toula’s dad believes that “every ailment from psoriasis to poison ivy can be cured with Windex.” Funny, but I wouldn’t try it at home.
Greek moms and grandmothers, however, swear by another miracle medicine: Olive oil. My grandmother believed that almost every ailment could be cured with this magic elixir, made from handpicked olives from her backyard. Was she right?
A food-staple of the famous Mediterranean diet, olive oil has multiple uses. The ancient Greeks used it in medicines and in various ointments to treat earaches, stomachaches, and even dry skin and hair. Studies show that the type of fat (MUFA) found in olive oil may help lower one’s risk of heart disease. In addition, an olive oil diet could reduce aging at the cellular level. So, can any bottle of olive oil contain a miracle cure? Experts suggest consumers look for organic extra virgin products.
A new Mediterranean company, Freshline Gourmet, has introduced to the European market a line of Non-GMO and Gluten Free Extra Virgin Oil products of extremely low acidity (commonly below 0.2% at harvest).
The company’s vision is to “become one of the leading and reputable food brands in the Mediterranean.” Freshline Gourmet opened its doors in late 2011 with “a mission to distribute the highest quality, great tasting foods Greece has to offer, all made with natural ingredients.” Through the company’s inspection and certification arm, I.C.B. Services Ltd, they have certified and audited hundred of food producers from different regions of Greece. And as Freshline Gourmet grows, it will “form new partnerships with the best small traditional producers of various carefully selected Greek natural foods.”
“We are very excited to bring health and longevity to family tables across the world, by providing them with some of the highest quality foods Greece has to offer. We feel confident that our new venture will prove to be an overwhelming success and that we will contribute considerably in increasing Greece’s food export activity,” said Andri Andreou, Managing Director of I.C.B. Services Ltd.
Freshline Gourmet Extra Virgin Olive Oil Characteristics
Grade: Acidity consistently below 0.3%
Cultivar: 100% from Koroneiki Variety Olives
Color: A bright, vivid green
Flavor: A fruity, fresh green olive flavor with a very slight pleasant peppery bite in the back of your throat. This peppery finish is an indication of a fresh and very carefully processed olive oil extracted from healthy, fresh ripe olives.
Scent: A pleasant, fragrant olive scent, from which you can easily recognize the rich and fruity aroma of the just-harvested olive fruit.
Appearance: Clear
Nutritional Properties: High percentage of antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and pro-vitamins of oil, as well as polyphenols that protect cells from oxidation and free radicals.
For more information, please visit Freshline-Gourmet.com
- MARIA DELIS
