Greece on Fire

As you may have seen on the news, Greece's Peloponnese region has been hit by one of history's greatest forest fires. It has been reported that as many as sixty people have perished, while many fear the complete destruction of their homes and villages. Some believe the fires are the result of arson, however, this has yet to be confirmed. We are fortunate that our olive grove has remained unscathed, but suggest you take a look at the BBC for up-to-date coverage.

SLIPPERY BUSINESS: The trade in adulterated olive oil

August 13, 2007
By Tom Mueller, The New Yorker

On August 10, 1991, a rusty tanker called the Mazal II docked at the industrial port of Ordu, in Turkey, and pumped twenty-two hundred tons of hazelnut oil into its hold. The ship then embarked on a meandering voyage through the Mediterranean and the North Sea. By September 21st, when the Mazal II reached Barletta, a port in Puglia, in southern Italy, its cargo had become, on the ship’s official documents, Greek olive oil. It slipped through customs, possibly with the connivance of an official, was piped into tanker trucks, and was delivered to the refinery of Riolio, an Italian olive-oil producer based in Barletta. There it was sold—in some instances blended with real olive oil—to Riolio customers.

To read this article in its entirety, check out The New Yorker.

Ask the Kinesiologist

Being in the biz of organics, we pound the pavement to spread the word on good foods, and have become accustomed to educating the masses on olive oil. From demos in gourmet markets to trade shows featuring the great and the powders of the not so, it has become evident that not everyone knows what they're talking about. News headlines recount the day's hottest diet, while magazines seem to bombard us with what Alice pill will take us from hefty to ever small. Being a bit overwhelmed by the 'omega this', and 'trans fatty that', I propose we demystify some of these health myths. I present to you Evangeline Koutalianos, Kinesiologist (BSc, SFU) and Nutritionist. Send her your dietary questions and let us all reap from what clarity provides...smart decision-making!!!

Leave a comment and let Evangeline tackle what plagues you!

It's all in the olive oil

Check out the National Geographic News article Olive Oil Fights Heart Disease, Breast Cancer, Studies Says. While we are all aware of the benefits of olive oil in our diet, it never hurts to see it in print! Read on...

New size Kalamata olive tapenade jar on its way!

We've heard want you want... So in October of this year we will be bringing a smaller jar of our Kalamata olive tapenade. The jar will be 140g in size and available at most retail locations we sell to throughout the city!!!

Online store coming in September '07

Basil Olive Oil Products Ltd. will be launching its new online store come September 2007!!! No more waiting out-of-towners, for in less than a month's time our product line will be purchasable at the slight touch of a button. Exciting times!!!
To order our award-winning certified organic products, go to www.basiloliveoil.com and check things out!