Description
The Chania Kritis PGI is an extra-virgin olive oil obtained from the olive varieties of Koroneiki and Tsounati.
Production Area
The production area of the Chania Kritis PGI is within the administrative borders of the Chania prefecture including the provinces of Kydonia, Kissamos, Selino, Sfakia and Apokoronas, in the Crete region.
Production Method
The gathering method of the olives is the "beating". Successively, the accurately selected olives are placed in bags of 30 kg or in plastic crates to be transported to the oil mills for pressing. The olive pressing takes place in classic or centrifuging oil mills that guarantee the best processing conditions at a low temperature, which never surpasses 30°C. The processing of the olives takes place within three days after gathering. The fight against the olive fly, its main enemy, is done with attractive substances sprayed from the soil, using biologic methods without any treatment.
Appearance and Flavour
Chania Kritis PGI has a yellow-green colour, a fruity aroma and a sweet-and-sour taste, which lessens with time.
History
The history of the extra-virgin olive oil Chania Kritis 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.
Gastronomy
The extra-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 Chania Kritis PGI is an essential ingredient in the Mediterranean diet.
Marketing
The product is sold as Chania Kritis PGI. It is marketed in dark or transparent glass containers holding 500 ml, 750 ml and 1,000 ml and in metal containers holding 3 l and 5 l.
Distinctive Features
The favourable climatic conditions and the careful application of the cultivation procedures make up the ideal combination that lends the Chania Kritis PGI its particular organoleptic characteristics.
