When Katerina Mountanos founded Kosterina in 2016 her goal was simple: to share authentic Greek olive oil beyond the Mediterranean region. This became extremely important to her after realizing that nearly 70% of all olive oil sold in the US as authentic EVOO did not actually meet official extra virgin standards, resulting in olive oil that was missing the rich flavor and health benefits of authentic EVOO. She teamed up with farmers in the Peloponnese region of Greece, home to the Kosterina family and the Koroneiki olive, to begin the meticulous process of producing early-harvest, cold-pressed EVOO. Cold-pressing, which allows EVOO to maintain a high polyphenol content, is required for EVOO to be considered authentic. Polyphenols, which are micronutrients that occur naturally in plants, promote free-radical-fighting, anti-inflammatory properties and fatty acids that can help reduce the risk of many chronic illnesses, including high blood pressure and cholesterol—the higher the polyphenol content, the better! EVOO is a timeless super ingredient that Kosterina has perfected by combining traditional and modern Mediterranean flavors with superior health benefits. How can you taste our EVOO's authenticity? Its natural, earthy aroma and somewhat tingly-feel in the back of the throat. It has a much richer flavor than vegetable oil, which is bland or sometimes even tasteless. Whether you're making egg frittatas, a Greek salad, or a batch of brownies, Kosterina's Extra Virgin Original Olive Oil adds a vibrant, rich flavor to any dish (see our images for these and other recipes). All of our authentic products come from the Mediterranean with love!