An Update from Natalie & Deborah: Our Commitment to Quality
Ilona Coryndon BurnsAt Avlaki, we believe in quality above all else. Every bottle of our olive oil tells a story of nature’s rhythm and our unwavering commitment to excellence. But sometimes, nature has other plans.
Once again, the harvest on Lesvos has been challenging. The delicate balance of weather patterns—too wet when the blossoms needed to set, too hot when the tiny olives needed to grow—meant that this year’s crop simply didn’t meet our exacting standards. Instead of plump, vibrant olives brimming with golden oil, the fruit remained small and dry, lacking the richness we demand for Avlaki oils.
We refuse to compromise. If it’s not extraordinary, it doesn’t make it into our bottles.
Still Exceptional: Our Previous Vintages
While this year’s olives weren’t up to our standards, we’re still offering oils from the 2022/23 harvest—along with our prized 2021/22 and 2020/21 oils. These vintages remain outstanding, with beautifully complex flavours and the same meticulous craftsmanship that defines Avlaki.
The Truth About Best Before Dates
Let’s talk about those ‘Best Before End’ dates. Unlike perishable goods, olive oil is naturally preserving. Properly stored—sealed and kept away from direct light—our oils last indefinitely, retaining their character and depth.
Freshness matters for nutritional benefits, of course, and nothing beats the oil straight from an olive (fancy a bowl of olives instead?). But when it comes to taste, time in the bottle makes little difference. The real concern? The unknown length of time oil from large commercial companies sits in large tanks before being blended and bottled. Unlike mass-market brands, we bottle directly from our small-batch presses, ensuring the freshest, purest oil possible.
The Beauty of Aged Olive Oil
Even as olive oil ages, it remains a marvel. Beyond the kitchen, our older oils have a second life—transforming into luxurious olive oil soaps, deeply nourishing moisturisers, and gentle, all-natural cleansers. They’re also remarkable for furniture restoration, tool care, and other household uses.
At Avlaki, our standards never waver. When nature delivers a perfect harvest, you’ll taste it in every drop. And when it doesn’t, we stand by our promise: no compromise, only excellence.