ABOUT US: Our Way at Akra Morea Estate

Our extensive knowledge and experience in everything related to the olive tree coupled by our eagerness to produce an exclusive and extraordinary extra virgin olive oil, has motivated us to involve ourselves in the industry and to create the AKRA MOREA© Extra Virgin Olive Oil brand.  Our company specializes solely in the production of Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

AKRA MOREA© manage their own olive groves, located within the southwestern region of Monemvasia Greece and numbering approximately 3000 olive trees of the Athenoelia, Koroneiki and Asprolia olive tree varieties (approx. at 74%, 24% and 2% respectively).  The Athenoelia is the predominant variety in the Monemvasian region, and in spite of being one of the most austere and demanding varieties to cultivate, it thrives within it almost exclusively.  The control policies, techniques and innovative solutions and procedures applied across all of the production phases, make AKRA MOREA© an exceptional Extra Virgin Olive Oil. These methods include but are not limited to the moderation of tree cultivation, crop harvesting, transportation, storage, pressing, and more. By aiming at maximizing the quality rather than the quantity of our produce, we maintain a relatively low production averaging approx. at 12,000 litres per annum.

Our in-depth knowledge and experience coupled with the favorable microclimate of the region permit us to produce olive oil, of both organic and conventional cultivation, that possess unique properties, fine aromas, rich taste, golden green color and a high content of polyphenols and hydrotyroxol.  The above, in combination with our production methods and innovative techniques, always in absolute balance between them, grant us the unique and exceptional AKRA MOREA© Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

The pressing is performed with our own Italian-manufactured and latest generation oil pressing machine of a small, but ideal for our needs, capacity. The olive oil is stored in nitrogen and argon supported stainless tanks, in accordance with the latest and most stringent of requirements. The crop season and gathering of fruit begins relatively early, during late September, and is completed during the middle of December. This for Greek climate establishes the "early harvest" properties of our High-Phenolic EVOO (20 Sep. - 15 Oct.) whilst the latter part of the season (15 Oct. - 15 Dec.) meets the needs of our "balanced" Organic Variety. From the cultivation and the care of the olive trees to the pressing of the fruit, we painstakingly adhere to our strict and unique methods and procedures, making this an enchanting process a memorable experience year after year.

The following procedure is adopted, to fulfill our vision and to substantiate our international quality recognition:

The Fruit is:

  • Harvested by hand, to ensure that the yield remains in excellent condition;
  • Placed in special crates, to secure its adequate protection and proper ventilation;
  • Transported to the press in refrigerated vehicles within approx. 30 minutes of being harvested, to guarantee that all of its nutrients and properties remain intact;
  • Thoroughly washed and dried before being fed to the crusher;
  • Placed in vertical and airtight kneading machines for precisely 12 minutes (specially designed kneading machine liners ensure that the temperature during the kneading process is maintained, irrespective of the prevailing temperatures, at between 19° and 21° Celsius);
  • Pressed within 3 hours of being harvested;

The Olive Oil is:

  • Fed in a centrifugal separator, strictly using cold water to facilitate a mild separation and a monitored cold extraction;
  • Filtered through the highest class of multi-layered and multi-staged (coarse and fine) filters which are replaced consecutively;

The Daily Production:

  • Undergoes a series of analyses and tests (tasting, acidity and polyphenol content included) on a day-to-day basis, while the entire line of equipment and machinery is thoroughly cleaned, washed and dried after each pressing;
  • Is temporarily stored in stainless steel tanks and awaits the definitive results of the analyses and tests conducted by one of the Recognized Laboratories;
  • Having passed the analyses and tests to AKRA MOREA's© complete satisfaction, is stored in stainless steel tanks placed in special storage rooms for a period of 40 days, allowing it to settle and mature;
  • Samples of the olive oil in storage are periodically tendered for further analyses and tests. The purpose of this is to quantify any measurement alterations, to reconfirm its characteristics prior to bottling and last but not least, to safeguard that the product is 100% free from any insecticide and pesticide traces;
  • The finalized certified produce is bottled within our own bottling plant. Nitrogen is inserted at the end of every load before it is sealed, to replace the oxygen in each bottle while cushioning the oil. Nitrogen flushing is a method that preserves and protects the oil from oxygen damage, safeguarding its authentic nutrients, color, flavor, aromas and texture.
  • The bottles that the oil is stocked into have been manufactured with thorough interior fluoridation, thermal protection, maximized dark exterior and heavy ergonomic design, further protecting it from the elements.
  • Each bottle is dated by hand on the day of its filling and is placed in one of our purpose-built delivery boxes, shielding it from any exterior damage.

 

It might seem that our modus operandi and complex strategies make our work laborious, restrict our daily operations and adversely affect the quantity of the olive oil produced, but, our philosophy and goal is to warranty credible quality.

It is of vital importance to adhere to these high calibre systems in order to achieve the standards that we desire, the craftsmanship that we are proud to call AKRA MOREA© olive oil, which is the natural cold extraction from supreme olives in its purest and most delicious form.

Our aspiration is to continue to enrich our knowledge, amass experience, improve our techniques and perpetually maintain the quality of our products, gaining the recognition that the AKRA MOREA© extra virgin olive oil deserves, namely as being one of the best, if not the best Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil in the world. This is our commitment and we invite you to visit our magical world, the world of AKRA MOREA©, for a guided tour of our groves and facilities and/or to partake in the cultivation and care of our olive trees, the harvesting of the fruit and also its pressing.