Holiston Olive Oil: A Celebration of Quality and Craftsmanship
Holiston Olive Oil: Elevating the Olive Oil Experience from Rhodes
A Celebration of Quality and Craftsmanship
In the world of olive oil, where countless brands and varieties promise quality, few truly stand out like Holiston Olive Oil. This isn’t just another bottle on the shelf – it’s an ultra-premium, limited-edition extra virgin olive oil that embodies craftsmanship, health, and tradition, all while making a statement with its sleek, eco-conscious packaging
Holiston Oil is no ordinary extra virgin olive oil. This ultra-premium, phenolic-rich olive oil hails from the beautiful island of Rhodes and has quickly become one of the most celebrated oils globally. Known for its exceptional health benefits, superior taste, and eco-friendly packaging, Holiston has set a new standard in the olive oil world. With a production of only 1500 bottles annually, each one carefully numbered and packed, Holiston ensures the highest level of attention to detail, from the olive groves to the final product in your kitchen.
A Health-Driven Legacy
What sets Holiston apart from the rest? First and foremost, it’s the powerful health benefits embedded in every drop. Unlike typical olive oils, Holiston’s ultra-premium phenolic extra virgin olive oil doesn’t merely complement your dishes – it actively boosts your well-being. With a high phenolic content of up to 900 mg/kg, this oil belongs in a category of its own, offering protective properties that have earned it EU-certified health claims.
Holiston doesn’t just stop at polyphenols – it goes further, with two additional health claims for its naturally occurring Vitamin E and unsaturated fats (Omega 3, 6, and 9). These elements contribute to everything from heart health to brain function, making Holiston much more than a culinary indulgence; it's a functional food that nourishes you from the inside out.
But Holiston is more than just about its oil—it’s about the love and passion behind it. Andreas, the founder, shared his insights on what makes Holiston truly stand out, from the rigorous production process to its impact on health, taste, and sustainability.
Below is a Q&A session with Andreas, diving deeper into the story behind this exceptional olive oil:
What makes Holiston’s limited edition ultra-premium phenolic extra virgin olive oil stand out from other olive oils?
1. Health claims.
Holiston is an extra virgin olive oil, which belongs more in the category of functional foods than the olive oils we already know. This is true because it covers not one, but 3 health claims according the EU regulations. In addition to the high polyphenols health claim, which is very important and counts up to 900mg/kg, we are one of the very few producers in the world who dared to guarantee and add on our label two more health claims, that of vitamin E and unsaturated fats (omega 3,6,9).
2. Great taste and aromas. (Medium bitter and spicy)
3. Nice looking packaging.
This is the least important, but I think that a quality product should have a quality packaging. People tend to appreciate when the producer offers them an overall beautiful image and measures every detail showing his love for the product and his appreciation of the consumer. It's great to hear that the bottle is so well liked that although it is 100% recyclable, it is not thrown away but reused for other purposes. We have to take care of our planet after all.
4. Highly protective packaging.
Our packaging is not only stylish but is the result of careful consideration. First, our box has double walls to ensure complete safety in transport, 0% solar transmittance and insulation against heat. The coloured bottle also contributes to this purpose, protecting against solar radiation and during the use of the product after removing the box.
5. Made on Rhodes Island, a popular tourist destination.
Apart from tourism, people do not know that for the size of the island we have a relatively large number of olive groves. Unfortunately, with very few exceptions, the quality of the olive oil produced is very low. I am therefore proud that Holiston has taken the right path from the very beginning by sitting proudly next to the best olive oil in the world and promoting our island not only as a popular tourist destination but also as a place with the potential to produce quality products.
6. Limited production.
Only 1500 bottles are available in 2024. (Each bottle is numbered by hand) Holiston counts a very small number of bottles every year and that makes it even more unique. It also gives us the opportunity to pay attention to each bottle individually so that you always get the best version of it.
7. Highly awarded.
More than 15 health, quality and packaging awards in 2 years.
8. Unfiltered
By "unfiltered" we mean that we do not use the classical method of filtration where a significant amount of nutrients and health-protective substances are washed out, but we let our oil do it on its own with the natural method of sedimentation.
9. Shorter self-life (18 months from the harvest) We never let our olive oil go past 18 months of life. Attention here, not from the day of its bottling, as is usual, but from the day of harvest. In this way we guarantee that every year only fresh Holiston is available on the market.
10. Stored at 10 degrees Celsius
Despite their overwhelming advantages, unfiltered olive oils have a significant disadvantage, as they lose a large part of their beneficial properties and if not stored properly, they may develop defects. We place Holiston in Inox containers inside refrigerated chambers as to achieve the longest shelf life, ensuring the least possible loss of properties and that you consume the same olive oil of the day of production, no matter how long it has been. This is a technique that very few producers around the world apply, and which we take very seriously.
12. Organic cultivation
...and somewhere here I will stop because I could talk to you for hours about our pride, Holiston.
Can you explain the significance of the high phenolic content in your olive oil and how it affects its flavour and health benefits?
All olive oils suitable for consumption are healthy or healthier than other oils on the market, with extra virgin oils leading the way in quality and having a lot to offer to-our health. Of course, even extra virgin olive oils can vary greatly in quality and what they offer to the human body.
Holiston Ultra-Premium has been created to maximise all the health benefits that an olive oil can offer to our health, which is why we pay great attention to its phenolic content. In recent years, we have been fortunate enough to have at our disposal a large number of scientific studies demonstrating the beneficial effects of phenols on many serious human diseases. And we still have much to learn!
Regarding taste, it is well known that olive oils with high phenolic content, such as Holiston, have a medium to strong bitter and spicy taste. What we always try to do is to maintain a balance between flavour and phenols, so that the consumer can use it in the kitchen, but above all to enjoy it in a table spoon, taking advantage of all the beneficial properties it has to offer. It should also be said that, thanks to the strict methods used to increase the phenolic content, we always end up with a very special and tasty result, with intense characteristics and aromas.
What specific processes or techniques are used to achieve the ultra-premium quality of your olive oil? Can you describe the journey of your olives from the grove to the final product?
It all starts in the field. Like the human body, trees need care and proper nutrition to produce healthy, phenolic-rich fruit. In our organic olive grove, soil, leaves, moisture etc. are frequently measured and analysed. So, we only make the necessary interventions and not waste material and time. The secret is balance. For phenols, too much or too little always has a negative effect. In practice, of course, giving the trees only what they really need is very difficult and requires time and expertise.
Harvesting is the next very important stage and must be done carefully and at the right time. At Holiston we harvest in October when the fruit is still green, always checking the moisture levels to ensure they are low.Ηarvesting is carried out by mechanical means which do not injure the tree and the fruit. Finally, the olives are packed in special crates that allow the fruit to be aerated and transported to the mill within a few hours. It is worth noting that before the olives are put into crates, there are people who pick them one by one to remove any poor quality or diseased fruit. This is a very time-consuming stage, which very few producers in the world choose to do, but for us it is essential.
The next stage is the olive milling. This requires a great deal of knowledge and expertise, because whatever you have done in the previous two stages can be destroyed in a matter of seconds. The first very important point we pay a lot of attention to is the cleanliness of the fruit and the machinery. Any residue from previous oiling can significantly affect the taste, quality and phenolic load in an olive oil. Our mill is a new two-phase mill, and this allows us to carry out the production process without using extra water, which washes out a large proportion of the hydrophilic polyphenols. Mallaxing then takes place in less time than usual and at temperatures below 26°C.
After milling, we leave our olive oil in tanks to filter naturally and separate the oil from the water and any remaining fruit pieces. We then transfer the clean olive oil to another tank and begin the bottling process.
The final stage is storage, which takes place in stainless steel tanks with a float that prevents oxygen from coming into contact with the olive oil, thus preventing oxidation. Finally, the tanks, together with the rest of the bottles, are placed in refrigeration chambers and kept at a temperature of 10o C. In this way, even after 18 months, our olive oil retains almost all of its nutritional and health properties. This process is quite costly and is therefore not often used.
What challenges do you face in maintaining such a high standard of quality?
In my opinion, once you have the knowledge, dedication and organization, it is not difficult to maintain high standards and produce a very high-quality product. The real challenge is to keep costs down while maintaining high quality. We started with the idea that we would not compromise on quality, that we would create a special product with great nutritional value, and then we would see. Now that Holiston has been on the market for two years, we have been able to reduce our production costs by 20% and pass this reduction on in full to the end consumer. We still have a long way to go, we know that, but every year we commit to nothing less than the best.
What is your favourite way to use Holiston’s olive oil in cooking or at the table? Are there any particular dishes or recipes that you feel best showcase the unique qualities of your olive oil?
Personally, I use Holiston at every chance I get. I'm so used to it now that its absence from a meal is noticed by me and my family. But I think I enjoy it more in salads such as the Cretan Dakos or with the classic ''Greek style'' which is simply olive oil on fresh bread with a little pure sea salt.
What is your go-to pantry staples? Are there any ingredients you always have on hand for cooking at home?
Spices! I use them everywhere and my kitchen is full of them. The four main ones that I'm lucky enough to grow myself or find fresh in the wild are rosemary, oregano, thyme and spicy red pepper. Sea salt and, of course, Holiston olive oil is also a must! 😊
How does it feel to know that people far from Greece, such as Australians, will be able to experience you r premium olive oil?
It is truly an honour and a thrill for me to know that people so far away from Greece will have the opportunity to enjoy our olive oil and benefit from its properties. Holiston is made with love and passion and the thought that this product, born in my homeland, will travel all over the world fills me with pride and joy and gives me the strength to continue.
What aspects of your product do you think will resonate most with international customers?
The appearance, taste and health properties of our product are the three things that customers usually appreciate in Holiston, with the third being the most important. After all, like health, nothing else!
Are there any future plans or new products in the pipeline for Holiston Oil?
Our goal for the coming years is to gain the trust of more and more consumers and to gradually make polyphenolic olive oil known throughout the world. It is a special product that I believe we all deserve!
Although I haven't confided it anywhere else, because of my special love for The Greek Providore, I will say that very soon, in 2025, we will release another polyphenolic olive oil of the same range, but which will be much more affordable for everyday use. I'm sure people will love it.
What are your favourite spots to visit in Rhodes, and why?
I like peace and quiet, so during the summer months, when Rhodes is overrun with tourists, I don't go out much, unless someone finds me on some remote coast. But in winter, our olive grove in the village of Ialysos is a place where I spend a pleasant amount of time during the day doing various tasks. I hope that one day I will be able to open it up to visitors so that they can see how beautiful it is. Another favourite place to relax and see friends and family is the village of Embonas, which is very picturesque and well worth a visit.
Can you recommend any hidden gems or lesser-known places in Rhodes that are worth exploring?
Certainly, Lindos village, the Valley of the Butterflies and Medieval City are places that anyone visiting Rhodes should see. In general, the south-eastern part of Rhodes is much more popular with tourists due to its beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters and large hotels. However, I would recommend exploring also the north-western part of the island where you will find beautiful beaches, picturesque villages with hospitable people and delicious local cuisine. Finally, there are two very small islands very close to Rhodes, Symi and Halki
Holiston is more than just olive oil; it's a carefully crafted experience that combines health, taste, and heritage. With its high phenolic content, rigorous production process, and limited availability, Holiston Olive Oil is a truly special product that reflects the best of what Rhodes has to offer. Whether you enjoy it in a salad or as a finishing touch to a dish, Holiston promises a unique and flavourful experience that you can feel good about.
The olives are handpicked at just the right moment – when they are still green and packed with nutrients – and milled with precision in a state-of-the-art, two-phase mill. Every step of the process is carefully controlled to preserve the oil’s natural health properties and flavour. From the naturally sedimented oil (unfiltered, of course) to the refrigerated storage that keeps it fresh for up to 18 months from harvest, Holiston ensures that every bottle delivered is at the peak of its quality.
Rhodes – The Heart of Holiston
Beyond its health claims and exquisite taste, Holiston Olive Oil tells a story of place. Made on the island of Rhodes, this olive oil showcases the lesser-known agricultural richness of the island. Rhodes is typically celebrated for its tourism, but its olive groves are equally deserving of attention. Holiston is proud to shine a light on this aspect of the island, proving that Rhodes can compete with the best olive oil-producing regions in the world. Each bottle is a piece of Rhodes, filled with the island's sun, sea breeze, and the passion of its people.
Experience Holiston
Holiston Olive Oil isn’t just something you use in the kitchen – it’s an experience. From the rich aroma that fills the room when you open the bottle to the complex flavors that elevate your dishes, it transforms everyday meals into something extraordinary. For the health-conscious foodie, it’s the ultimate indulgence that comes with real benefits.
For those lucky enough to get their hands on one of the limited bottles, Holiston promises not just a taste of Greece, but a journey into the future of olive oil – one where quality, health, and sustainability merge to create a product that is as good for you as it is delicious.