A Greek Family Tradition
PHILEOS EVOO Inc. is Phileos. Olive oil has been a love affair with us and central to my family for multi-generations. I remember stories my father John would share with me from a young age, on how he and his father tended to their precious olive trees. The pride and affection dad had for his trees was blatantly apparent and has stuck with me ever since. It was pure love! I figured this out many years afterwards and now completely understand his passion for the mythologically sacred olive tree of the Greek goddess Athena.
My paternal grandfather Dimitrios, whom I am named after was somewhat of a "legend" in his village and surrounding area of Monemvasia. His nickname was "πουλί" translated to bird in English. I’m not quite sure how he was given this name, but it had to do with him always keeping busy and constantly on the go making sure his neighbours and villagers were fine. Grandpa was deeply connected to the production of olive oil in the region. He was the Managing Principal of his village's olive mill as well as its President for many years.
One story shared to me by locals demonstrated my grandfather's love and devotion to his olives and community. During the Second World War, he was able to procure much needed heavy machinery from the United Kingdom to be used for the village olive mill. This allowed the local farmers to continue producing their "Liquid Gold" unabated during wartime. Unfortunately, all of the other olive mills in the region were not as lucky. This story is all too amazing considering the fact that all available steel and heavy machinery was to be made available only to the military for the war effort. What is even more remarkable is that Grandfather Dimitrios did not know how to speak either English or German! How did grandpa get the machinery from the United Kingdom to occupied Greece? Until this day, we still don't know how he was able to accomplish this feat.
When I am in Greece until this day, and I speak to locals or am eating at family restaurants, all I have to say is that I'm the grandson of "πουλί". At that moment, the introductions stop and the wonderful stories commence of grandpa and grandma. It is truly an amazing feeling!
My mother Christina was President of Canada's Greek Laconian Association for two decades, and was the biggest cheerleader of Sparta-Monemvasia, Greece where our Phileos' olive oil is manufactured. The history, food, culture and beauty of this area of Laconia might have had something to do with it. The pure adoration and affection displayed by mom with this part of Greece rubbed off on me from early adolescence and still continues to this day. During her tenure as president, she promoted Laconian culture, history, food and yes its "FABULOUS" Olive Oil around the world.
Today, I feel exactly the same as my father, mother and grandfather did, and appreciate all of the olive's blessings. This is what has made our food, our history, our lives that much more enriched. It is part of Greek life and an important part of my life.
A Brand That's Come A Long Way Since Humble Beginnings
Our family has been sending back olive oil from our orchards in Monemvasia, Laconia for decades sharing it with family and friends. One person after the other would tell us that it was the best tasting olive oil they have had and why couldn't they find something similar to this in Canada. Most of the oils they bought were stale and just didn't taste 'right". When I began investigating olive oil sold in my local market, I quickly realised that not all olive oils were cut from the same cloth. With much encouragement from both family and friends I decided to make my olive oil brand available to consumers in North America after it was successfully launched in Europe first. I thought, why not? Offering a premium quality olive oil with great taste, flavour and health benefits to boot should be something everyone would want and have easy access to; especially in these health conscious times we are living in! What was I waiting for?
Bringing a Taste of Greece to The World
Phileos was also started to promote the rich Greek cuisine and culture. Greek households have been using olive oil for thousands of years for cooking, beauty care, and even medicine.
Consumers deserve an incredible olive oil that is not only tasty but healthy. Phileos oil comes from olives soaked in the Grecian sun for months and picked by hand with care. The oil is from non-GMO olives, pressed in small batches for taste and freshness and is not mass produced. For Phileos, extra virgin olive oil is not only a must have essential for a heart-healthy kitchen, but a piece of our homeland.
An Ideal Location
Laconia produces some of Greece's and the world's best olive oil due to its perfect location. This is where our beautiful oil is produced. It has hot dry summers and mild winters, circumstances that have allowed olive trees to proliferate for thousands of years since ancient times. The Municipality of Monemvasia where Phileos is manufactured receives over 300 days a year of glorious sunshine. Calcareous soils, zero environmental pollution, warm rocky hillsides and salty sea breezes from the Aegean allow our olives to flourish with a special luxuriance on the limestone slopes and crags that form the shores of the Peloponnese peninsula. This is all ideal for the cultivation of high quality olive oil. We are truly blessed!
A good terroir exemplifies the tradition of the area from which the oil came from; it transmits a story and offers the user an experience with every taste. The Phileos brand logo illustrates the special climatic and physical conditions of our location which contributes to a great tasting oil. Olive trees surrounded by cliffs and mountains with salty ocean breezes from the Aegean and Mediterranean create a unique and privileged growing region.
History
Olive oil production has played an important role in historical Greek culture. Greece is the origin of where the first ever cultivation of olive trees took place. It has a rich history of olive oil production that dates back thousands of years and has been essential to both diet and the local economy for more than 5000 years. It goes without saying that Phileos Evoo growers must know a thing or two about producing a great tasting olive oil.
During the classical times in Athens, the olive tree was considered a present to their city from the wise and brave goddess, Athena, and Greeks would carry olive branches during ancient rituals as a symbol of purity and freshness. According to Aristotle, whoever destroyed or eradicated an olive tree was condemned to death".
Experts in EVOO Manufacturing
Our mission is to thrill our customers with our authentic Greek olive oil, elevate their dishes to the next level and ensure its fine quality and healthy ingredients. We have the passion, skill and expertise for making "liquid gold".
"From branch to bottle, no shortcuts are taken, no steps are overlooked. Phileos' strict adherence to quality control never compromised."
"Simply the best Koroneiki and Athinolia olives, selected early in the season, handpicked by our family harvesters, and cold pressed within hours of picking."
"The end result is a ‘liquid gold’: an incredibly rare, extra virgin olive oil of exceptional quality, extraordinary health benefits and a taste like none other."
Phileos owned KASELL SA manufactures over 1/3 of all extra virgin olive oil in the Greek province of Laconia which is recognised as not only one of the best olive growing regions in Greece, but all of the world.
In the current harvest year, Phileos of Sparta from Laconia commanded a double digit percent premium in price for its Extra Virgin Olive oil when compared to other well known olive growing regions in Greece, such as Kalamata and Crete. This is a recognition from the overseas importers and especially the Italian market that Laconia where Phileos EVOO is manufactured, has the best olive oil artisans and extra virgin olive oil in Greece. We just make fresher, healthier, better tasting olive oil!
With controlled storage for thousands of tonnes of olive oil, PHILEOS EVOO INC IS equipped to service even the largest, most demanding markets.
Greek Ties To Our Land and Olive Groves
Olive trees dot the landscape throughout Greece and are heavily entwined with the country's culture. This is especially true in Laconia where our EVOO is manufactured. It is truly a "marvellous sight to behold".
The harvesting of olive trees is embedded in Greek culture, and in turn on Phileos' family of farmers. Did you know that Greece is the only country in the European Union that gives it civil servants special leave for the olive harvest. All hands are needed on deck to collect our precious olives.
An EVOO Very Rich in Polyphenols
The oil is not only fabulous tasting, but also contains many beneficial health attributes. One of the most important factors that contribute to the quality of the oil is the quality of the production. Phileos controls all stages of production from branch to bottle. The only thing we don't control is the weather! Small producers or "similar types" have to wait days or up to a week to get their olives crushed because they cannot access a mill which impedes the overall calibre of the oil. The freshness, taste and health attributes of the oil will suffer.
Phileos will NEVER encounter this problem as we are a vertically integrated manufacturer. Our customers and retailers deserve to be provided the best possible product at all times, and they will get just that with Phileos EVOO.
"The health benefits of olive oil are 99 percent related to the presence of phenolic compounds, not the oil itself." - Nasir Malik (Research plant physiologists at the U.S. Agriculture Department)
All of the olive oil we produce is very rich in polyphenols which contribute to the protection of blood lipids from oxidative stress. The average EVOO has a quantity of 70-150mg/kg of polyphenols. Phileos normally scores around 800 -1200mg/kg of total polyphenols. In periods of unstable weather conditions in the region, the figure may drop to around 600 mg/kg which is still considered very high for market standards (6X to 10X more).
*The minimum level to be considered high phenolic is 500mg/kg*
The fat in Phileos EVOO is a very healthy mono-unsaturated fat. It lowers total cholesterol and LDL (bad cholesterol) and so lowers your risk of heart disease and stroke. The beneficial properties of Phileos Extra Virgin Olive Oil is ensured with the consumption of at least 20g daily.
Top Shelf Quality
We at PHILEOS EVOO INC have a deep sense of gratitude and humility. This is our nature and how we conduct ourselves day to day.
Our company promises consumers that we will continue producing a premium quality EVOO, never compromising at each step of the production process. We will continue focusing on maintaining the quality of our oil and not direct unnecessary energy on brand redesigns or new packaging. Although important, what's in the bottle should be priority number one.
The strict quality control standards that Phileos adheres to, and the integrity of our producers will always be maintained.
Consumers can rest assured they are buying "EXACTLY" what we claim - full stop! A fabulous, healthy and tasty olive oil that is authentic and derived from our family owned orchards to your kitchen table.