Messinia’s Olive Oil: Rooted in the Past, Growing Toward the Future

By Vivi Konstantinidou & The Stories Team

Pushing chunks of plump tomato and cucumber aside, you dip a piece of crusty white bread into a pool of velvety, golden extra virgin olive oil. A few tomato seeds and a crumble of feta cheese cling to the oily bread. The act is a cherished habit for Greeks – an unforgettable experience for a first-timer. Ask any visitor to Messinia, home of the Kalamata olive, and they’ll tell you: the region’s olive oil, along with the gnarly trunks and silvery leaves of its olive trees, is part of the very soul of the land.

Messinia and olive oil are inseparable. The age-old bond that has shaped the land, the culture, and its people. The region’s olive groves stretch across rolling hills and fertile plains, their leaves whispering stories of a rich and unbroken tradition. This is echoed in archaeological finds such as the colossal storage jars (“pithoi”) in the Palace of Nestor in ancient Pylos, as described in Homer’s “Odyssey” and “Iliad.” These remnants confirm that olive cultivation has been both an economic pillar and an essential part of daily life since antiquity.

A tradition that continues to thrive

Olive oil production in Messinia is not merely a profession – it’s a family affair, a cherished ritual that brings generations together. Nearly every household owns at least a small olive grove, ensuring a steady supply of oil for home use. Come November, the air fills with the rhythmic sounds of the olive harvest, as family members, young and old, work side by side under the golden autumn sun.

Although the process is labor-intensive, it is also infused with camaraderie, laughter, and the satisfaction of producing something that forms the foundation of the local cuisine. The land itself nurtures this tradition – Messinia’s geography, with its expansive fertile plains, is ideal for olive cultivation. One of Greece’s historic olive-growing areas, the region is home to over 15 million olive trees, most of which belong to the Koroneiki variety.

The amazing Koroneiki olive

The Koroneiki olive, Messinia’s prized variety, is renowned for its resilience in the face of harsh weather and disease. Thriving here in the region’s mild climate and nourished by rich, sun-kissed soil, these trees yield oil of exceptional quality – a product recognized worldwide for its high nutritional value, balanced flavor, and velvety texture.

With its harmonious blend of fruity, peppery, and slightly bitter notes, Messinian olive oil has become one of Greece’s most celebrated exports, winning awards at competitions across the globe. It’s an ambassador of the region’s excellence, bringing a taste of its lush landscapes to tables worldwide.

A bright future ahead

Today, however, this legacy faces mounting threats from climate change, as rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and soil degradation challenge the sustainability of Mediterranean agriculture. In response, the Navarino Environmental Observatory (NEO), in collaboration with the Academy of Athens and partners in eight Mediterranean countries, is conducting groundbreaking research to secure a bright and resilient future for olive cultivation.

Through the EU-funded SALAM-MED project, researchers are pioneering water-saving irrigation methods and working with cover crops and natural vegetation to combat soil erosion and boost biodiversity. As it turns out, some of these science-driven strategies may not only protect olive yields but also enhance the oil’s quality. For example, early results suggest that phenology-based irrigation – adapting water use to the trees’ natural cycles – not only conserves water but also increases the antioxidant properties of the oil.

So, the next time you taste the renowned Messinian “liquid gold,” remember: its flavor is as much a tribute to ancient farming wisdom as it is to innovation, stewardship, and the enduring spirit of a region determined to thrive.

A pioneer in olive oil tasting

Beyond its role in production, Messinia is also a leader in olive oil education and appreciation. Since 2011, the Kalamata Olive Oil Tasting Laboratory of the University of Peloponnese has been at the forefront of research and quality assessment. As the only accredited olive oil laboratory within a Greek institution of higher education, it holds certifications from both the Greek state and the International Olive Oil Council.

In recent years, olive oil tasting has evolved from an esoteric professional skill to a sensory experience for consumers. As people have become more attuned to the subtle nuances of different Greek varieties, Messinia has embraced olive tourism, offering visitors the chance to explore the world of olive oil firsthand – from harvesting to guided tasting sessions.

Navarino Icons

Extra Virgin Olive Oil holds a central place in the culinary tradition of Costa Navarino. Crafted exclusively from Koroneiki olives grown in the historic groves of Costa Navarino and cultivated across Messinia, it reflects the character of the local terroir and the long-standing olive-growing heritage of the region.

Each harvest is hand-picked and cold-extracted within two hours, preserving full aroma, high polyphenol content and naturally low acidity. This process aligns with current research, which associates high-quality extra virgin olive oil with everyday wellbeing and cellular protection when integrated into daily nutrition.

Its refined quality has earned numerous international distinctions, confirming its position among Greece’s most respected olive oils. In Greece, it is available at Costa Navarino outlets such as Kafenio and Deli, and abroad in selected delicatessens and specialty food retailers including Zingerman’s Deli, Galeries Lafayette, Eli Zabar, and City Super, as well as at Hellenic Duty-Free Shops and Qatar Duty-Free. It can also be purchased online at grekaicons.gr.

Navarino Icons Extra Virgin Olive Oil is served in the business class cabins of leading international airlines such as Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Cathay Pacific and China Airlines, offering travellers an authentic taste of Messinia during their journey. It is also supplied to major international aviation catering providers, including Newrest, CATRION and Optimum Catering Solutions, ensuring availability in premium cabin service and private aviation.