The Lesvos PGI is a virgin olive oil obtained from olives of the variety Kolovi and Adramytiani.
Production Method
The gathering of the olives traditionally takes place by hand or with the help of big nets. Transportation takes place in plastic baskets or natural bags holding 30 kg or 50 kg. The pressing of the cleaned and selected olives (they should not have residue traces nor signs of infection) takes place in classic or centrifuging oil mills, at a low temperature that never surpasses 30°C. The processing of the olives takes place within three days after the gathering. The fight against the olive fly, its main enemy, is done with attractive substances sprayed from the soil, with biologic methods without any treatment. The Lesvos PGI can be obtained by mixing it with oils of the same kind, produced under the same conditions.
Appearance and Flavour
The Lesvos PGI is a virgin oil with an intense aroma and a bright yellow colour. Its organoleptic characteristics remind of ripe olives.
Production Area
The production area of the Lesvos PGI is within the administrative boundaries of the island of Lesbos, in the North Aegean Islands.
History
The history of the virgin olive oil Lesvos PGI is linked to the local tradition of the olive tree culture, which in Greece has very old roots, as evidenced in historical sources and archaeological finds, in the Northern Aegean Islands.
Gastronomy
The virgin olive oil is an easily perishable food that needs correct preservation in order to maintain its organoleptic characteristics intact. It is thus advisable to keep it in a cool place and away from light, at a temperature between 14°C and 18°C, away from heat sources and from products that give off particular smells. It is recommendable to consume it within four to six months after the pressing, to enjoy it in the period of highest expression of its taste. The virgin olive oil Lesvos PGI is an essential ingredient in the Mediterranean diet.
Marketing
The product is sold as Lesvos PGI. It is marketed in glass bottles holding 500 ml, 750 ml, and 1 l, or in metal tins of 5 l.
Distinctive Features
In the production area, there are currently 11.000.000 olive trees, which produce approximately 100,000 tons of olives per year, from which 20.000 tons of oil are obtained. This data hints the strong connection between local farmers and this cultivation, which over the centuries has led to the obtaining of a very valuable and appreciated product: the virgin olive oil Lesvos PGI.
