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Olive Oil Tasting under Olive Trees
5.0
11 Ratings
Pigi
Discover the rich history and health benefits of olive oil with a tasting tour in Crete's largest monumental olive grove.
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- oliving in Crete - An outdoor olive oil tasting experience, a walk, and a discussion in the midst of a 2000-year-old monumental olive 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. We discuss olive oil quality, the olive 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 varieties. Our tasting table is right under the olive trees. In the last part of the tasting session, an olive oil-food pairing activity, we observe the way different types of olive oil go well 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.
What's Included
- Lunch
What's Not Included
- Private transportation
Meal Options
-
Olive oil pairing with organic food. - • A welcoming “meze” (appetizer plate) in Cretan way
• A 4-course degustation menu demonstrating olive oil-food pairings
Additional Information
Our experience is set in the village of Pigi, located 8 km from the city of Rethymno on the route to Arkadi Monastery. Spanning 10,000 square meters, the venue is among the largest monumental olive groves in the Mediterranean. The Oliving in Crete experience offers olive oil tours and tastings in our beautiful olive grove. Our aim is to showcase the culture and history of olive oil, a significant part of Greek heritage for centuries. You will learn about olive oil quality, the olive harvest, production processes, and the health benefits of olive oil. Discover the Cretan Diet and understand how extra virgin olive oil has become a key component of a modern, healthy lifestyle.
- Please inform us for any food allergies or if you follow a special diet as Vegan, glutten free, lactose free, koscher, hallal etc
Location
9H6C+2V
Meet the quest in front of Valide building and drive them to the olive grove, 1 min of drive. You can use your own car.
free parking area opposite of the building
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(11 Ratings)
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D881ndannew
Apr 17, 2024
Wonderful tasting - A beautiful place with gigantic olive trees. Aspassia is a great host. Learned a lot and tasted delicious. Recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jkschoultz
Oct 11, 2023
Expert lesson in the history and culture of olive oil - Extremely informative and interesting tour of a lovely old Tsounati olive grove! Our guide Aspassia obviously knows and loves her subject well. We were treated to a lesson on the culture and history of this variety of olive, as well as olive oil production in general, as we walked through a picture grove in the golden hour of evening. After the tour we were taught how to properly sample three varieties of olive oil and took turns identifying the different flavors. Then we were able to try the varieties again, this time pairing with several different types of food, all prepared by our host and presented under the trees while kittens scampered around begging for attention! Wonderful setting, interesting lesson, and a new insight into something I realize now that I have always taken for granted!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gkcnglc
Jun 11, 2022
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G experience - I dont have words the describe this experience. Aspassia is the best, everything about this tour is beyond expectations. Loved it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Zalobeidi
Aug 29, 2021
An enjoyable afternoon - This was an amazing experience.
Aspassia, our hostess, was a delightful, friendly and experienced lady. She explained all about the different kinds of olive oil and had us sample a few.
This was then followed by wonderful Cretan plates to sample with the different oils.
We went back home to check all the information on our current olive oil bottles :)
I would definitely recommend this activity to anyone who is looking for a nice, relaxing afternoon in an olive grove.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Besma_a
Jun 27, 2021
An Unforgettable Olive Oil Experience! - The family owned olive grove with olive trees that are thousands of years old provided an incredibly peaceful environment to prepare you for a fun and informative olive oil tasting- followed with food pairings. Everything was orchestrated beautifully…one of those life experiences that will stay with you forever more.
Review provided by Viator
Sveta81
Jun 1, 2021
Great experience - Aspa knows literally everything for the olives and olive oil. It was an amazing experience 😍 Thank you for your great attitude and interesting stories, Aspa!
Review provided by Tripadvisor