Zakynthos: Visitors are invited to pick olives and make olive oil

Olive oil enthusiasts should visit Zakynthos in autumn during “liotrivi”, the olive picking season, to pick olives, press their own oil and enjoy soap fresh from the production process

Aristeon means excellence in Greek, and the Aristeon Ecological Olive Press on the isle of Zakynthos certainly lives up to its name, complete with an olive oil museum, a tasting section and olive soap. Thought the area of Greece most noted for its olive oil is the Peloponnese, Zakynthos in the Ionian is one of the few places in the world where the number of olive trees in recent years has more than doubled, reflecting the quality of olive oil on the island. The island’s excellent climate and soil quality have given birth to very high quality olive oil, whose properties are preserved through Aristeon’s manufacturing processes, always under the temperature of 27C.

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Any olive oil expert would tell you that not all olive oils are created equal, depending on the way it is processed. The olive press at Aristeon uses either first-class integrated management practices or certified organic methods to produce outstanding olive oil. The extra virgin olive oil produced here reflects the true Zakynthian deep green color and robust, fruity flavor.  The  tour through the olive oil museum which reveals the history of olive making on the island, known for the ‘dopia’ olive trees that are 2000 years old. The methods used are traditional using early wooden equipment, as well as by the the machine-run stone mill of later years and the factory’s cutting-edge production methods today.

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Visitors also get to taste the new delicious varieties as well, such as lemon oil and garlic oil which will captivate you. Delicious olives and healthy olive-oil soap are part of the surprises that await visitors to this must-see olive press.

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This professionally run business is family owned, representing a true Zakynthian success story that should be honored by an enchanting visit to the Aristeon Ecological Olive Press. Contact the oil press at Lithakia Zakynthos on 26950 52888 or sxoil@otenet.gr

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