Blog - ZELOS

May 18, 2023

The Tempting Black Olive Paste

Black olives are one of the most popular table olive varieties. These olives are known for their purple to black hue, soft meaty texture, and tart, tangy, slightly acidic flavor reminiscent of red wine vinegar. Like other varieties of table olives, black olives must be harvested by hand in order to protect the delicate fruits from bruising or scarring. The black olives though are carefully selected also for another one use. After brined, they are pitted and crushed into simple and pure paste of all-natural fresh black olives with a rich and strong finish and a smooth well-balanced texture.

The different types

This Greek-style olive spread, called pasta elias, is similar to French tapenade from Provence. Unlike tapenade, which is made with anchovies and capers, this appetizer is vegan. There are a wide range of uses for this condiment, and it is a frequent feature in Mediterranean kitchens as a result.

Apparently, the basic ingredients of an olive paste are black olives and olive oil. There are different variations though with additions of garlic, capers and dried herbs, such as oregano, rosemary, or thyme. Nevertheless, other ones are such as simple as conaining just the olive puree and the olive oil.

Zelos Black Olive Paste

If you love the savoury, irresistible flavour of olives, Zelos Black Olive Paste is perfect for making your favourite mediterranean snack even more versatile. It is a 100% natural product, produced of cured black olives and extra virgin olive oil and has a hearty, rustic yet harmonious and smooth taste, ideal for bruschetta, or even pasta sauces. This olive paste can be laid out on a buffet, paired with crackers, breads, or even vegetables and used as a dip or as a garnish on some foods as well. The carefully prepared Zelos Black Olive Paste contains all the nutrients found in olives and olive oil. Indeed a product of excellent quality and flavor.

Zelos Mediterannean Goodness

April 22, 2023

ZELOS is embracing World Earth Day

Today is the 53rd anniversary of Earth Day. First celebrated in 1970, it now includes events in more than 192 countries. Every year, April 22 is celebrated as Earth Day, an annual event where people take time out to demonstrate their support for protecting the planet and its environment. Yet we must remember that is about more than a single day.

When it comes to environmental sustainability and honoring Mother Earth, few foods are as deeply rooted with eco-friendly origins as extra virgin olive oil. We can reflect with pride on how Zelos contributes to its unique community and environment of origin.

Sustainable production and environmental care have become prerequisite for our farmers. Respect for the environment and communities in which we operate has always been a key consideration for Zelos team.

How sustainable is extra virgin olive oil?

A key advantage of extra virgin olive oil when compared to other mainstream cooking oils is the olive tree’s ability to act as a carbon sink. This means that olive trees trap more carbon from the atmosphere than they release. It’s also cold-pressed, meaning there is no heat used in this process. According to provisional scientific studies conducted by the International Olive Council (IOC), one hectare of olive trees cancels out one person’s annual carbon footprint. The production of a litre of olive oil captures 10.64 kg of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). Moreover,the world production of olive oil could absorb the emissions of a city of more than 7 million inhabitants such as Hong Kong.

The traditional olive oil farms

There’s a big debate on the water usage of olive groves. It is widely said that the production process includes large waste of water for irrigation. Yet, traditional olive oil farms have relatively low inputs and thus low negative impacts. A study from the University of Jaén shows that traditional olive groves directly combat climate change and cause far less environmental damage than intensive cultivation methods.

We created ZELOS to support those small farrmers who represent Mediterranean goodness. Our farmers use little to no chemicals with lower density tree plantations which have a higher value in terms of biodiversity and landscape. Also water management is better with the least negative effects on the environment.

Zelos Mediterannean Goodness

March 31, 2023

The Olive Trees in Cyprus

Cyprus is a Mediterranean island country known for its rich cultural history and its production of high-quality olive oil. Growing the olive trees along with the production of olive oil, have been part of the Cypriot traditions since ancient times. Τhe archaeological discoveries prove that the olive trees were introduced to Cyprus in the Neolithic era, between 7000 and 3000 BC. During that era, peple used the fruits of the wild olive tree as a food. Nevertheless, Cypriots turned the wild olive trees into trees that could be cultivated during the Bronze Age, 1600 to 1100 BC.

In fact, olive trees can live for ages. On the island, some exist since the Frankish period between 12th and 15th centuries, the so-called ‘Franco’ olive trees. Those ones are very unique, they have thick trunks with big hollows and cracks, contributing to Cypriot olericulture and society. Indeed, it is a plant that has fascinated people throughout history.

A tree of spiritual value
In Cyprus, olive trees are considered sacred and possess a deep spiritual and cultural value on the island. The olive tree’s sacred status is thought to be based on a folk legend about Jesus Christ which is still told in Cyprus. It was believed that the olive tree attempted to hide Jesus in its branches from pursuers. In doing so it was blessed and when the ordeal came to end, the olive tree was bestowed with longevity.

A blessed place
Being blessed with the Mediterranean climate and fertile lands nurtured by sun and sea, Cyprus is ideal for the growing of olives. Unquestionably, the Cypriot olive oil is of the highest quality and of exquisite aroma, rich and pleasant taste. The island has a Mediterranean climate that is well-suited to olive trees. Olive oil, the liquid gold as the Greek poet Homer said, is a miraculous sourse of nutrients and is used in the most popular traditional Cypriot dishes.

Cypriot olive oil is of the highest quality and of exquisite aroma, rich and pleasant taste. Cyprus has a Mediterranean climate that is well-suited to olive trees. ‘Olive oil, the liquid gold’ as the Greek poet Homer said, it is a miraculous sourse of nutrients and is used in the most popular traditional Cypriot dishes. Moreover, Mediterranean diet is proved to be one of the healthiest diets in the world, with olive oil being one of its basic and representative ingredients.

The Farmers’ Zelos

They say that farmers who cultivate olive trees they have a special bond with them. They feel them. They take care of them with great energy, with great zeal. The farmers’ ‘Zelos’. Undoubtedly, this is the basic and irreplaceable element of having a top quality of olives and olive oil. It is the people, their caring and the love for their trees. It is their zeal, their ‘Zelos’ to grow and nurture the trees and take the best out of them.

Zelos Mediterannean Goodness