As we all know the extra virgin olive oil is one of the most consumable products in Europe, and worldwide and is definitely the best way to cook daily. The olives as historical resources refer, has been cultivated in Middle East for 2.000 years, and from there the cultivation has been extended to Mediterranean countries and Greece!
One of the main reasons that consumers use organic extra virgin olive oil is that it is very rich in nutrients, in flavors and include all the aromas of the European land, in just a spoon of it.

The extra virgin olive oil in Europe:
The European Union is the leading producer, consumer and exporter of olive oil, where produces roughly 67% of the world’s olive oil. Around 4 million hectares, mainly in the EU Mediterranean countries, are dedicated to the cultivation of olives trees, combining traditional, intensive and super intensive groves.

How the European extra virgin olive oil is being produced?
The production of the extra virgin olive oil starts from October to November and finishes on March. Here we have to mention that to get as superior quality olive oil we need, we have to harvest the groves as soon as possible.
As soon the olives are being harvest, the producers transfer them to the production facilities were the extra virgin olive oil is being extracted, either mechanical either with cold or hot extract. To make sure that all the necessary steps are being taken to produce a superior quality product, all the European producers implement a very strict food safety and quality criteria.

Why the European extra virgin olive oil stands out from the competition?
The European extra virgin PDO/PGI olive oil is an excellent product with plenty of flavors and aromas, and superior quality, a combination that makes it a unique product that all the consumers must use in their daily life , to get all its benefits and high nutritional value.
And especially from the PDO/PGI olive oil. But what is the PDO/PGI olive oil? What we mean by that?
Lets see below what is the definitions of PDO /PGI.
PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) sector in EU
What is the PDO label (Protected destination of origin) :
The PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) mark identifies a product originating in a specific place, region or country, whose quality or characteristics are essentially or exclusively due to a particular geographical environment practices with its inherent natural (raw materials, environmental characteristics, location) and human (traditional and artisanal production) factors the production, processing and preparation steps of which all take place in the defined geographical area and in line with the strict production regulations established.
Protected Designation of Origin - PDO: covers agricultural products and foodstuffs which are produced, processed and prepared in a given geographical area using recognized know-how.
Protected geographical indication (PGI):
PGI emphasizes on the relationship between the specific geographic region and the name of the product, where a particular quality, reputation or other characteristic is essentially attributable to its geographical origin. Products Food, agricultural products and wines.
Specifications: For most products, at least one of the stages of production, processing or preparation takes place in the region.
Label: Mandatory for food and agricultural products
So as we have seen above the PDO/PGI extra virgin olive oil from Europe, include all the nutrients, flavors, quality you are looking for and it definitely stands out from its competition thanks to their competitive advantages.

How you can use the European extra virgin olive oil?
- Salads of all kinds can benefit from a good extra virgin olive oil and vinegar Top steamed or roasted vegetables.
- Use for sautéing vegetables or meats.
- Finish roasted or grilled meats with a drizzle.
- Use in Italian breads like pizza crust, focaccia and olive bread.
- Drizzle over fresh vegetables.

