For the fifth time in the row Flos Olei, the world's most influential and extensive guide to the world of olive oil, names northern Croatian region Istria as the world's best olive oil region.
The person behind Flos Olei is Marco Oreggia, journalist and gastronomy critic, and agricultural engineer. Flos Olei is considered the Bible of Extra Virgin Olive Oils. Every year Flos Olei chooses 500 world's best olive oils, and this year 2020 Edition included 79 Croatian extra virgin olive oils - 77 of which are from Istria, one from Krk and one from Dalmatia.
Where is Istria located, if you wonder?Â
Istria is a region in Croatia often described as the 'new Tuscany'. It is a region of landscapes with rolling hills, picturesque hilltop towns and excellent cuisine. Istria has a tradition of growing olives for more than two millennia, so being voted as the world's best olive oil region does not come as a surprise.
A testimony to this long olive tradition is the 1600-year-old olive tree on Veliki Brijuni island, off Istria's south-west coast, and the ancient terracotta amphorae once used to transport and store the oil, which lies on display in the cellar of Pula's Roman amphitheatre.
Istrian olive producers
Most Istrian olive oil producers are small and family-run farms producing limited quantities of extra virgin olive oil.
Although Istrian olive producers can't compete with the quantity made by Italian or Spanish olive oil producers, they make up for this by making truly exceptional extra virgin olive oils, many of which are organic.
We are proud to say that many olive oil producers we work with are from this beautiful award-winning olive oil region - Mate, Oleum Viride, Zigante, Kozlovic, San Canzian and Vergal. Therefore, being named for the fifth time in a row as the best olive oil-producing region globally is an immeasurable success and pride for Istria.
What's unique about Istria's olive oil is its delightfully fruity green notes and the pungent, peppery effect it has in the throat: a sure sign olive oil is high in polyphenols – chemical compounds full of healthy antioxidants.Â
Flos Olei Hall of Fame 2020 - Oleum Viride Olea BB the "Made with Love" FarmÂ
Flos Olei 2020 edition awarded our beloved olive oil producer - family Belic and their olive farm Oleum Viride as Farm of the Year "Made with Love", which means that they are doing everything with great attention and passion.
Not to mention they also scored an impressive 98 out of the maximum 100 points for their exceptional extra virgin olive oil. So try their olive oils, and you won't be disappointed.
Cited sources:
-Â Marco Oreggia, Flos Olei, The Guide to the world of extra virgin olive oil, 2020
-Â Marco Oreggia, Flos Olei App, 2020
