Our Olive Oil - PLOUMI
What makes Ploumi Extra Virgin Olive Oil stand out?
Ploumi is a premium, monovarietal (100% Koroneiki) extra virgin olive oil, crafted through a fully integrated vertical production model in the heart of Crete.
- Vertical Production: We tightly oversee every single stage —from nurturing our private olive groves and milling the fruit, to the final bottling at our state-of-the-art facility.
- Top-Tier Quality: Our absolute dedication to detail results in an olive oil characterized by exceptionally low acidity and outstanding nutritional value.
- Global Recognition: The superior quality of Ploumi is consistently validated by multiple international awards and top distinctions in major global competitions.
What is the flavor profile and aroma of Ploumi olive oil?
Ploumi delivers a complete gastronomic experience that engages all the senses, perfectly embodying the authentic character of the Cretan terroir.
- Aromas: The nose is met with intense aromas of freshly cut grass, green olives, wild herbs, and delicate hints of tomato leaves.
- Taste: On the palate, it is beautifully balanced, featuring a medium bitterness coupled with a wonderful, vibrant, and peppery finish at the back of the throat.
- Proof of Freshness: This distinctive peppery kick in the throat is the ultimate natural indicator that our olive oil is packed with fresh, health-protective polyphenols.
Is Ploumi a high-phenolic olive oil and what are its health benefits?
Yes, Ploumi qualifies as a certified High Phenolic Olive Oil, with a polyphenol count that consistently starts at 500 mg/kg and goes way above the minimum international standards.
- EU Health Claim: In accordance with the European Regulation (EU Health Claim 432/2012), a daily intake of 20g of our olive oil contributes to the protection of blood lipids from oxidative stress.
- Natural Defense: It boasts high concentrations of Oleocanthal and Oleacein, compounds renowned for their powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties.
- Wellness & Longevity: Thanks to this potent phenolic profile, Ploumi is more than just food; it serves as a premium daily supplement for overall health and well-being.
What is the acidity level of Ploumi and why does it matter?
Acidity is the primary quality indicator for extra virgin olive oil. Ploumi consistently maintains an exceptionally low acidity level, far below the official international limit of 0.8%.
- Ultra-Low Levels: Thanks to our immediate milling process within hours of harvest, Ploumi's acidity typically ranges between 0.2% and 0.3%.
- Structural Integrity: Low acidity indicates that the olive fruit was perfectly healthy during extraction and that the oil retains its natural layout of antioxidants.
- Superior Palate: In culinary use, low acidity translates into a smooth, velvety mouthfeel, free from the heavy, greasy aftertaste often found in lower-quality oils.
What does it mean that Ploumi is a "monovarietal" olive oil and what is the benefit?
Monovarietal (or single-varietal) means that Ploumi is produced $100\%$ from one single olive variety—the renowned Koroneiki—never blended with other, lower-quality oils.
- Unadulterated Character: It delivers the pure, authentic taste and distinct aromatic properties profile of the Cretan Koroneiki olive, entirely uncompromised.
- Consistent Excellence: Commercial blends frequently mix different varieties or harvests to cut costs. At Karepidis Estate, our monovarietal dedication guarantees culinary and physical superiority.
- Total Traceability: Every single drop of Ploumi traces back to the exact same olive variety, offering absolute transparency to consumers seeking an authentic premium product.
What is the shelf life of Ploumi and how should I store it at home?
Ploumi possesses an extended natural shelf life due to its high concentration of polyphenols. To safeguard its vibrant aromas and health properties down to the very last drop, follow these simple storage guidelines.
- Shelf Life: When stored properly, our olive oil retains its premium sensory characteristics for 18 to 24 months from the production date.
- Away from Light & Heat: Keep the bottle in a cool, dark place (such as a pantry or cupboard), away from stovetops, ovens, or direct sunlight.
- Keep it Airtight: Always seal the pourer cap tightly after every use. Prolonged exposure to oxygen accelerates oxidation and depletes the active health-protective phenols
Can Ploumi be used for cooking or frying?
Yes, absolutely. While enjoying it raw is the best way to leverage its phenolic profile, Ploumi stands up exceptionally well to high-temperature cooking.
- High Smoke Point: As a premium extra virgin olive oil with low acidity, Ploumi boasts a high smoke point (around 200°C–210°C), making it far more stable and safer than refined seed oils.
- Antioxidant Shield: The natural polyphenols inherent to the Koroneiki variety act as a shield, preventing thermal degradation and the formation of toxic compounds during cooking.
- Culinary Upgrade: Whether used for light sautéing, roasting, or baking, it imparts its rich Cretan aromas into your ingredients, elevating the overall flavor profile of your dishes.
Is Ploumi olive oil suitable for infants and children?
Yes, absolutely. Ploumi is a 100% natural product, entirely free from chemicals or additives, produced under the most stringent international food safety standards (IFS).
- Essential Fatty Acids: Extra virgin olive oil is rich in oleic acid, a crucial lipid that supports proper brain and bone development during early childhood.
- Immune Support: The natural vitamins and clean polyphenols found in our low-acidity oil reinforce a child's developing immune system in the purest way possible.
- Easy Digestion: Thanks to its exceptionally low acidity level (0.2% - 0.3%), it is incredibly gentle on an infant’s digestive tract, making it the perfect nutrient-dense addition to their first solid purees and soups.
Is Ploumi olive oil filtered and why do we choose this method?
Yes, Ploumi is meticulously filtered. The filtering process takes place immediately after extraction and is a critical step in preserving its premium quality over time.
- Moisture Elimination: Filtering safely extracts microscopic olive fruit particles and trace moisture (vegetation water) left behind during milling.
- Preventing Degradation: If left unfiltered, these micro-sediments settle at the bottom (forming dregs), triggered by anaerobic fermentation that destroys the oil’s flavor profile and rapidly depletes its polyphenols.
- Stability & Clarity: Filtration guarantees that Ploumi remains beautifully clear, brilliant, and chemically stable inside its bottle throughout its entire shelf life.
Is every batch of Ploumi officially tested in a laboratory?
Yes, every single batch (lot) of Ploumi undergoes strict chemical and organoleptic testing in accredited, independent laboratories before it is cleared for bottling.
- Polyphenol Verification: We accurately measure the exact levels of health-protective phenols (such as Oleocanthal and Oleacein), ensuring they consistently start above 500 mg/kg.
- Quality Parameters: We monitor acidity, peroxide values (oxidation indices), and overall stability to confirm that the oil is pristine and structurally sound.
- Certified Assurance: These meticulous analyses, combined with our facilities' IFS certification, guarantee that every bottle of Ploumi delivered to you matches top-tier international standards.
