Olive oil tasting in an olive grove with ancient trees
Details
3 hours
Easy
8 people max
Every day
Olive oil tasting with food pairing
Not included/ available on request
Depending on the time of the year
Pigi, Rethymno
Highlights
- Duration: 3 hours
- Private groups
- Easy – for beginners and all participants
- No special skills required
- Wheelchair accessible
- Pet friendly
- Family friendly
- Offered in English and French
- Flexible timetable upon request
Step by Step to an unforgettable experience
Walk through the grove
We explore the heritage and art of olive trees and olive oil in Greek life over the centuries, considering their significance in the mythology, history, culture, and cuisine of ancient and modern Cretan civilization. Our stroll through the peaceful olive grove resembles a walk in the holy Gethsemane Garden, with its ancient olive trees. Olive groves are full of the myths, flavors, and aromas of olive oil that have endured from Minoan times to the present. The beauty of the landscape makes our experience a lasting memory. We discuss quality, harvest, olive oil production, and olive oil’s health benefits. We learn about the Cretan Diet and find out how extra virgin olive oil became the most important component of a new, healthy lifestyle.
Walk through the grove
Olive oil workshop under ancient trees
Olive oil workshop under ancient trees
Our experience takes place in the village of Pigi, 8 km from the city of Rethymno on the way to Arkadi Monastery. With an area of 33 hectares, the venue is one of the largest monumental olive groves in the Mediterranean region. We will walk right up to olive trees that are more than 2000 years old. The local olive variety (Hondrolia) is endangered, but the sculptural trees that have survived make this olive grove a living museum of nature’s artwork.
A taste of Cretan gold
We discuss quality, harvest, olive oil production, and olive oil’s health benefits. We learn about the Cretan Diet and find out how extra virgin olive oil became the most important component of a new, healthy lifestyle. Learning how to taste olive oil according to the official tasting method, we taste four different high quality extra virgin olive oils, noticing the variations in aroma and flavor among the four olive oil samples. How is olive oil classified? Why early harvest olive oil taste more spicy and bitter? Witch type of olive oil is the best for cooking? We will have all answers of the above critical aspects of olive oil quality, under the shade of olive trees.
A taste of Cretan gold
Pair olive oil with great food
Pair olive oil with great food
In the last part of the tasting session, we pair different types of olive oil with certain foods. We savor the amazing result after adding an excellent extra virgin olive oil that transforms a dish’s flavors. Hints about how to store, select, bake, and cook – even fry – with olive oil will be shared. Cooking techniques such as frying, olive oil acidity, price and quality, will no longer be between myths and legends after your visit.
What’s Included
- Olive oil tasting with four diferent oils
- A welcoming “meze” (appetizer plate) in Cretan way
- A 4-course degustation menu demonstrating olive oil-food pairings
| ADULTS | 80 EURO P/P |
CHILDREN(3-15) | 40 EURO P/P |
| INFANTS(0-3) | FREE |
