The Cooperative

The Agricultural Cooperative of Zakros exists since 1936. Today, its 500 producers and their families, produce extra virgin PDO olive oil in unison. They grow olives of the Koroneiki variety within the boundaries of the Sitia Geopark, with respect for the environment and quality agricultural production model application, with the support of science. Their dedicated expertise in olive cultivation has made Zakros, a settlement with a history that goes back to the Minoan era, into an "Olive Oil Politeia” (State of Olive Oil), a community with continuous development of knowledge and cooperation. Olive oil, in Olive Oil Politeia, is the ideal value that flows endlessly. The Historic Good of our land. 

The production

Our Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Sitia Lasithiou Kritis (Lasithi Crete) extra virgin olive oil is produced in a natural way and modernized equipment, in a three-phase olive mill. It is kept in modern stainless steel tanks with a nitrogen headspace filling system, that protects its excellent physicochemical and functional properties. It is a product of cold extraction, by malaxing the olive paste at temperatures that do not exceed 27 degrees C. The modern, certified (ISO/AGRO) processes that complete the work of nature, result in the production of a final product of quality, safe for the consumer.

The Location

If we analyze the causes of consistent quality, they come down to a collaboration of nature and man. The natural springs of the surrounding mountains with the excellent quality rainwater that is stored in the aquifer and used both for the irrigation of the olive groves and for the water supply of the community, as well as the nutritious limestone soils, full of calcium, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium, are the gifts of natural location. The area where the olive trees are cultivated, within the boundaries of the Sitia Geopark, is characterized by great biodiversity and complex geomorphology. The Mediterranean climate and especially the dry-thermal microclimate, as well as the altitude of 200-250 meters above sea level, also contribute to the organoleptic excellence.

The product

Zakros "ADELFOS" is fruity, of medium intensity, moderately spicy and bitter, high in unsaturated fats, extra virgin olive oil P.O.P. Sitia Lasithiou, Kritis, with the characteristic signature of the aromas of Zakros. Due to its balanced and delicate character, it acts as a versatile culinary background or an ideal touch, that enhances and does not overshadow the flavors in any cooking style, which is why it is preferred in some of the most demanding creative high speed kitchens in the world.

The inspiration

The unity of the producers of the Zakros Agricultural Cooperative, as well as the long-term friendships with the visitors of Zakros and consumers of its olive oil, inspired the design of the "ADELΦOS" series with the Minoan dolphins, a timeless symbol of friendship and joy as well as a symbol of the sunny Mediterranean and seafaring voyages of commerce and pleasure, from antiquity to the present day. Voyages that connect good food with the whole world.