Description
The Lakonia PGI is a virgin olive oil obtained from olives of the varieties Koroneiki, Koutsourelia, Athinolia, and Asprolia.
Production Area
The production area of the virgin olive oil Lakonia PGI is within the administrative boundaries of the Laconia prefecture, including the provinces of Lacedaemonia, Epidavros Limira, Ghyteio and Areopoli, in the Peloponnese region.
Production Method
The olive gathering takes place when they are ripe and using combs or, more rarely, through "beating". Once they are placed in plastic boxes or natural bags of 30 kg to 50 kg, they are transported to the oil mill for pressing. The pressing of the olives takes place in classic or centrifuging oil mills, at a low temperature that never surpasses 30°C. The olives are processed within three days of the picking. 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
The virgin olive oil Lakonia PGI has a green-golden colour, a subtle flavour and a fruity aroma.
History
The history of the virgin olive oil Lakonia 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 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 Lakonia PGI is an essential ingredient in the Mediterranean diet.
Marketing
The product is sold as Lakonia PGI. It is marketed in glass bottles holding 500 ml, 750 ml, and 1 l, or in metal tins of 5 l.
Distinctive Features
The production area of the virgin olive oil Lakonia PGI has a large amount of olive trees, following a tradition that dates back to the period of the Ottoman Empire. The climatic conditions, characterised by moderate rain and abundant sunshine, and the traditional cultivating techniques determine this product's grand qualities.
