Those who save on olive oil have gained nothing

A lot has happened since we set out in 2015 to elevate olive oil to the pedestal it deserves. We believe it's common knowledge today that there are huge differences in the quality of olive oil.
Nevertheless, we would like to point out a few aspects here as to why you gain nothing by saving on olive oil.

Good olive oil cannot be a mass product

Most olive oils on supermarket shelves don't deserve a place in your kitchen. Many of these oils are industrially processed, blended, and of inferior quality. Studies by Ökotest and Stiftung Warentest have repeatedly shown that inexpensive olive oils are often impure. They often fail quality tests. Cheap olive oil is robbed of its valuable nutrients through refining, impairing its taste and health. Olive oil scams are not uncommon.
However, it's important to distinguish between fraudulent adulteration and (unfortunately) legal blending. Blending means mixing olive oils of different origins and qualities. This is not prohibited, and under the appropriate conditions, such an oil may even be labeled Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
(Here you can find a very nice overview of the quality levels of olive oil and the European labelling requirements )

For us, this legal blending of olive oil is an absolute no-go, but unfortunately it is common practice and, as already mentioned, legal.

Moreover, it is not uncommon for there to be actual (illegal) adulteration, i.e. the mixing of olive oil with other cooking oils or even lampante oils, all of which is then disguised by the addition of colorings and flavorings.

(More information about adulterated olive oil can be found here:
https://www.test.de/Olivenoel-Jedes-vierte-gepanscht-5644873-0/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=va3Dir8rz6M
https://www.faz.net/aktuell/gesellschaft/kriminalitaet/150-000-liter-gepantschtes-olivenoel-beschlagnahmt-16187012.html )

Quality has its price

Mediterranean diet - benefits only with good olive oil

Nutrition experts point out that the olive oil we commonly buy in supermarkets is not the kind scientific studies have attributed to its health-promoting effects. Therefore, it's not possible to equate its health benefits with those of high-quality olive oil used in studies. The olive oil used in many German households is not comparable to the high-quality olive oil from the Mediterranean region and offers little added health value—at most, it contributes to weight gain. Those who cut corners here have gained nothing!

(Sources:
https://medienportal.univie.ac.at/uniview/forschung/detailansicht/artikel/olivenoel-und-co-die-mittelmeerkueche-im-blick-der-wissenschaft/?no_cache=1
https://www.fitbook.de/ernaehrung/olivenoel-doch-nicht-so-gesund-ist-wie-viele-meinen
https://www.bzfe.de/service/news/aktuelle-meldungen/news-archiv/meldungen-2022/januar/laenger-leben-mit-olivenoel/
https://herzstiftung.de/ihre-herzgesundheit/gesund-bleiben/ernaehrung/olivenoel-herz )

Why you are doing everything right by buying OEL

Our founding idea for OEL was precisely this: to offer a truly authentic, tasty, and healthy olive oil in Germany, just like the one we knew from Amadeus' Greek family.
OEL stands for genuine, single-variety extra virgin olive oil, which is clearly different from the products in supermarkets.
OEL is extracted directly from first-class organic olives, using traditional cultivation methods and gentle harvesting techniques.
Our uncompromising company philosophy ensures that every canister of OEL meets the high health standards associated with the positive effects documented in scientific studies. We personally oversee the harvest in the region every year and work with only one oil mill that operates to the highest quality standards. All olives for OEL come from reliable sources, including our own grove and that of our partner Ilias, who operates the oil mill.

OEL may cost a little more, but the investment is worth it – for your palate and your health.

In Greece, olive oil is sacred

Did you know that Athens is named after the ancient goddess Athena, in a contest with the sea god Poseidon, who gave the city the more meaningful gift: an olive tree instead of a (salty) spring? In Greece, olive oil is used in almost every dish, even as medicine. Olive branches are symbols of peace, and children are anointed with olive oil at baptism. Almost every family has access to olive oil from private sources (their own groves or those of relatives or friends).

In Germany, butter is known to be more popular than oil, and we live in a discount country where the quality of the products is unfortunately often secondary.
When it comes to olive oil, consumers only have sensory tests available. And these tests usually don't detect inferior quality, especially when colorings and flavorings are added. There are reportedly cases where not a single olive has found its way into the "olive oil" bottle.
However, there is one very reliable indicator of adulterated olive oil: a low price.

Our promise

We see you not just as a customer, but as part of our OEL family. Your trust and support motivate us. We promise to continue doing everything we can to deliver authentic, pure, and high-quality olive oil directly from Greece. Above all, we promise to stay LIQUID!