Questions & Answers
Are your manufacturing and warehouse facilities Tree Nut Free?
I have confirmation that all of our facilities, manufacturing and warehousing are Tree NUT Free and our facilities have the following certifications and designations:
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OLIVE OIL: Our Olive Oil milling/producing/ bottling facility has the following certifications, which can also be accessed with the following URL: http://kolympari-sa.gr/en/certifications/
- Organic Olive Oil: Our organic olive oil products are certified by BIOHellas, a national inspection and certification body for organic products and member of IFOAM, in recognition of their compliance to the requirements of the European Community regulations 834/2007 and 889/2008.
- PDO &PGI: Our products of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) have been certified by AGROCERT, the premier national organization for certification and inspection of agricultural products.
- Production & Standardization: Every step of production is standardized according to the standards issued by the international Food Safety management system requirements by TÜV AUSTRIA HELLAS EN ISO 22000:2005.
- Bottling & Packaging: Every step of bottling and packaging is standardized according to the standards issued by the international Food Safety management system requirements by TÜV AUSTRIA HELLAS EN ISO 22000:2005.
- Kosher – כָּשֵׁר Finally our products are kosher certified. This means that our products fully comply to the strict standards required by the Jewish dietary laws (Kashrut, כַּשְׁרוּת).
OLIVES:
The plant has the HACCP Food Management System Standard (EN ISO 22000:2005) and is also Certified Organic by BIO HELLAS.
VINEGAR/DRESSINGS:
The plant is also HACCP certified and is certified organic by BIO HELLAS
We can confirm that None of these above facilities deal with or come into contact with TREE NUTS.
How Do I read the BEST BEFORE DATE on your products?
- Olives: the first three letters indicate variety (Green Pitted) then DAY/YEAR/MONTH followed by production code.
- EVOO: (YEAR/Day of Year followed by production) Example - L1712764 in this case, 2017/127/64
The flavoured oils with vinegar (dressings) don’t have the same consistency, the oil comes out first? What should I do?
- Despite their perfect marriage, oil and vinegar don’t always blend well together. You must shake the bottle well before using
Does Olive Oil Freeze?
Yes, at 10F or -12C Olive Oil will freeze and solidify, however chilling or freezing olive oil will not harm the oil, the oil will return to its normal consistency after coming to room temperature.
What is the ideal temperature for Olive Oil?
The ideal temperature for storing olive oil is 50F or 10C.
What happens if olive oil is stored below the ideal temperature?
The oil will get cloudy as it starts to cool and if temperatures dip further the complex minerals in the oil will start to solidify.
How do we make and cure our olives?
Our olives are hand picked at the height of ripeness and are allowed to cure naturally in a brine of olive oil, salt and vinegar. We do not add caustic soday (Lye) to speed up the natural curing process, and we do not add any preservatives or colour agents to enhance the colour. Our olives are 100% organic and natural.
How can I eat olives if I have to monitor my sodium intake?
Olives are a healthy snack and a great addition to your everyday meals. If sodium is a concern our recommendation is to soak the olives in water for an hour or 24 hours prior to consuming. If you soak the olives, drain the water, add them back to the jar and top with olive oil to maintain freshness.
Why is there a white film on the top of my olives and tapenades?
Our olives are organic and natural without the use of preservatives/Chemicals, we use a touch of vinegar and a pinch of salt to preserve the olives, which is the traditional recipe. The olives continue to ferment and the substance referred to as Mother, is a harmless residue that forms on the olives when the vinegar in the brine mixes with oxygen (oxidation) It is NOT mould. Simply remove the milky substance with a spoon or spill it out and the olives are good for consumption.
Can I eat olives if I have high blood pressure?
Yes, olives are a great source of Vit E and heart healthy fats, if the sodium is a concern, simply soak the olives in water as stated above, drain them reintroduce to the jar or container and add olive oil to maintain freshness.
Are Olives Fattening?
No, the average serving size is 15g approximately 4-5 olives, and they are typically 7 to 8 calories each and contain no cholesterol. Our olive oil is also cholesterol free and, when used regularly, is actually very healthy for the cardiovascular system. The olives and our olive oils are rich in heart healthy Vitamin E, contain no sugar, no preservatives, no additives are an ideal healthy snack.
Does Vinegar expire?
Vinegar has an indefinite shelf life, it is a natural acid and therefore self preserving and can be used well past any expiration date.
How do I use the flavoured oil?
These are of my favourite products, the fresh organic oils milled with fresh organic lemons and mandarins. We use them in the following ways:
- On Fish
- Salad marinades
- Chicken marinades
- Desserts
- Over steamed vegetables