Fruit of the gods

Just why is olive oil one of the most important ingredients in modern cuisine

‘There’s nothing quite like proper olive oil!’ Jamie Oliver, celebrity chef

Olive oil has been used in cooking for over 7,000 years. Originating from Greece – which still produces the best olive oils to this day – the liquid gold has since conquered the world and is now considered to be the vital ingredient in exquisite cuisine all over the globe.

We present three reasons why olive oil is one of the most important ingredients in modern cuisine. By Alexander D. Kuenzi, CEO Mediterre International SA

1. Quality: top-quality products know no compromise

The demand for olive oil is huge. Over 150 types of olive trees are found in the Mediterranean area and over three billion tonnes of olive oil are produced each year. There are over 850 million olive trees on Planet Earth – many of which are several hundred years old.

But olive trees are delicate things. They need lots of sunshine and just the right amount of water, and do not tolerate changes in temperature or cold days. Because these trees require so much care, the market is unfortunately flooded with millions of tonnes of low-quality olive oil every year. This doesn’t just ruin food – it also regularly leads to scandals (reported on by German newspapers NZZ and Die Zeit) . The European Commission has therefore developed guidelines  which are used to independently evaluate the quality of olive oil. The bottom line: only the very best olive oil is labelled as ‘virgin olive oil’ . This label guarantees that the olives are of the highest quality, in perfect condition, free from pests and have been correctly stored and processed.

When you think about it, olive oil is everywhere! Modern cuisine that wants to be taken seriously should use only the very best olive oil.

2. A culinary gift of the gods

In many ancient cultures, the olive tree was considered to be holy. No other ingredient has quite the same mythical and magical history. In ancient times, olive oil was a key trading commodity and could only be sold on special ‘oil tables’, which in turn were passed down through the generations. At the Olympic Games, the victors were awarded an olive wreath and successful athletes received prize money in the form of amphorae full of olive oil. Scholars and intellectuals from Goethe to Erich Kästner have written about the mythical olive tree and attested to the health benefits of olive oil. Not only is olive oil a central ingredient in modern, light cuisine – it also makes the perfect present for friends and family.

3. Health: myths from the ancient world

The ancient Greeks used olive oil as a medicine. Today it forms the basis of the light, healthy Mediterranean cuisine we all know and love, and is also recommended in many diets. To this day, olive oil is still used in many skin care, hair care and beauty regimes all over the world. Olive oil is packed full of health and beauty benefits.

High quality Mediterre olive oil for top-notch cooking

Mediterre International SA offers the highest grade of virgin olive oil. Our products surpass all quality criteria and are used by many internationally renowned top chefs.

‘The Mediterre oils impressed me with their purity and terroir.’ Antonio Colaianni, star chef and owner of Restaurant GUSTAV in Zurich

Want to use the highest quality olive oil in professional cooking?

Do you want to find out more about our olive oils and use them in professional cooking? Alexander D. Kuenzi, CEO of Mediterre International SA, is happy to introduce our products to you. Get in touch if you would like to discuss using our oils.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch via email at contact@mediterre.com

Frequently asked questions

What matters most to Mediterre International SA?

From the very beginning, we have followed our one true passion – to produce nothing less than products of the highest quality. At the same time, we respect and protect our most valuable resource: nature.

The high level of trust we have established with our producers over many years makes is possible to create organic and sustainable products in a way that seems almost magical.

What matters most to us is quality, not quantity. We want to offer a fair product that is sustainable from the very first step in the process right to the moment you take your first bite or sip.

A world in which we can relish our enjoyment

Our products are our way of sharing – and enjoying – our ideals and values with the whole world. We hope to inspire others and perhaps find some new sources of inspiration for ourselves, too.

How is the price for Mediterre olive oil determined?

On average, an olive tree produces around 20 kilogrammes of olives per year, which in turn translates into around 3-4 litres of olive oil. Pure olive oil comes at a cost due to the large number of high-quality olives required to make it and the need for sustainable, certified processing methods. However, you only need a few drops in salads and on meat, fish and side dishes to transform your meal into something truly special. We also offer buyers purchasing large amounts attractive trade prices. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

Contact

Mediterre International SA
Kolinplatz 6
6300 Zug, Switzerland

Tel. +41 41 727 22 90
contact@mediterre.com