The Athena International Olive Oil Competition will be held in Delphi, Greece on March 26-28. It is world-renowned and competes with similar events held in London, New York, and Japan.
Why Greece?
Delphi, Greece is home to the cultivation of over one million olive trees, many of which are over 100 years old. The importance of the olive and olive oil in Greece cannot be overstated, which is probably why this event attracts world-class panel experts from all over the world.
This year over 300 of the best olive oil samples from 12 countries will be examined by the awards committee to determine the best olive oil in the world for 2018. Olive oil testers are split into panels of 5-7 members. Each panel designates a leader responsible for ensuring the proper evaluation of samples and compliance with competition regulations. A blind tasting system is used so samples are only labeled with a code number and judges score samples on corresponding evaluation sheets.
Why Olive Oil?
You may be wondering what all the fuss is about. In truth, there are so many options on the market, it is often difficult to choose which to buy. Besides taste, the most important reason to care is health-related. Unless you consume good-quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), you will not be getting all of the health benefits associated with it, including cardiovascular disease prevention and weight loss. Just remember that high heat also destroys the benefits of consuming olive oil, so keep the expensive oil for finishing and maybe some light sauteing.
Your local market may not sell quality olive oil; always check labels. If in doubt, try these options from Amazon:
- Kasandrinos Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- PJ Kabos Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Sky Organics Extra Virgin Olive Oil
