EXPO VIEW
bi-monthly Newsletter
July 2014 ISSUE No13
EXPO VIEW
TOP STORY
Time to relax your mind In this Issue:
Time to relax your mind
1
New crop of olives Product origin map
2
BUSINESS ISSUES: Olive oil true nature and new facts for analysis
3
Mani
4
Sparta –Laconia
5
Kalamata- Messinia
6
Santorini -Cyclades
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Taste the difference!
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S
ummer is a time to relax, clear you
head and get ready for a fresh start in September. This “lite” issue will travel you to places related to the origins of our products. We will take an alternative and relaxing look at the landscapes where the production of our products takes place. We will travel with you off the beaten track, to get a different perspective of this beautiful land, looking at some interesting landmarks and culinary creations with local ingredients.
Parthenonos 1,N. Erythraia Athens146 71Greece info@expoaid.gr / Tel: +30 210 6250365 / Fax: +30 210 6209905
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BUSINESS ISSUES
Heading towards the new crop
T
he drought and high temperatures affecting Spain in recent months rose speculations about potential crop reduction, with estimates scaling up to -40% vs last year. This scenario, if verified will constitute a repetition of the disastrous olive period of 2012.
Even more striking is the increase in the prices for lampante ( +21%), which reached the "psychological" threshold of 2 â‚Ź / kg.
In Greece, extra virgin olive oil from the MessiniaLakonia regions, stabilized at 2.85 to 2.90 â‚Ź / kg. There The ongoing speculations resulted in a rally of Spanish are virtually no transactions due to lack of product extra virgin olive oil prices, which reached on average availability. All look into the new season due to good predictions about quantity and quality in all regions. 2.15-2.25 euro / kg, and even the 2.50 euro / kg, for excellent quality of extra virgin from Andalusia, trans- In Italy, the prices remain at levels of 3.60-3.70 euro / lating to an increase of over 10% since early June. kg for the best qualities of Extra Virgin olive oil.
Amphissa Chalkidiki area North Greece
Santorini (Thira) island
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Parthenonos 1,N. Erythraia Athens146 71Greece info@expoaid.gr / Tel: +30 210 6250365 / Fax: +30 210 6209905
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Mani—Peloponnese
Mani a barren place with hidden treasures
O
ne of the “finger” peninsulas of Peloponnese, barren, with rocky shores and unique beauty. Rarely is such a beauty encountered: a traditional residential district of Mani, full of towers. In that rocky landscape you can find some of the most aromatic wild herbs. The dry air blends the fragrance of wild herbs like Thyme, Oregano, Sage and rosemary. You can also find unrefined salt called salt flower, a top layer collected by hand from natural pools from the rocky shores of Mani peninsula. Vathia is located 106 Km from Sparta and it is one of Mani’s rugged and poor soil nurture olive trees that produce great quality the most dramatic villages in Mani. olive oil. At the end of 70’s Fritz Blaϋel was enchanted by Mani. He decided to move and live there. In the begging, he was doing farm work in the area’s groves. Very soon, he felt that he could help the producers of the area. He established his own company, he showed farmers new paths of work with total respect to the local people culture and to the area’s nature. Today, Fritz Blaϋel contributes with his business activity to the worldwide recognition of Mani’s olive oil quality. With numerous awards his olive oil is appreciated by connoisseur and simple consumers.
FOS brand recognizes the uniqueness of these products. They represent the riches of a phenomenally poor land. That is why our selection includes salt, herbs and olive oil capturing the intense flavors and purity of Mani.
Caves of Dyros Breathtaking cave lies underneath the harsh land in the heart of Greece's beautiful Mani region. Pure white stalactites and stalagmites will impress even the most demanding visitors. With 5000 meters of subterranean caves the visitors see selected parts through a boat trip lasting 30 minutes and 10 minute walk. You can have a sneak peak by viewing this video—available in English http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZcna5CuYeM (the caves are in proximity of Kardamyli)
Did you know that…. The excellent quality of Greek herbs and spices reflects the country’s long periods of sunshine and the different kinds of landscape. This special landscape makes Greek flora so rich, that from the 7500 different species of plants growing in Greece, 850 of them are only found there. Some of the best herbs grow there naturally - herbs like chamomile; Mountain Tea; tilio (infusion of lime leaves), sage, thyme, oregano and basil are chosen above others by some of the celebrity chefs across Europe.
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Parthenonos 1,N. Erythraia Athens146 71Greece info@expoaid.gr / Tel: +30 210 6250365 / Fax: +30 210 6209905
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Sparta—Peloponnese
Sparta— land or warriors or Kalamata olives?
T
ogether with Athens, Sparta is one of the best known city-states of ancient Greece. Situated on the banks of the Eurotas River under the mountain Taygetous the tallest peak in the Peloponnese on the border between the areas of Laconia and Messinia. Spartans are well known as perfect warriors, namely because of king Leonidas and his guard of 300 men, who led an outnumbered Greek force probably of seven thousand in the victorious battle of Thermopylae against a substantially larger force of Persians under Xerxes. The area around Sparta is full with olive and orange groves. The area is very well known for its strong aromatic olive oils as well as an excellent quality Kalamata olives. FOS Kalamata olives are selected from this very region and are packed and processed in a plant close to Sparta. The olives are bought directly from the farmers, enabling us to select the best based on the final product but also on the knowledge about the practices used for its production. Monemvasia Worth driving to from Sparta, the Monemvasia Castle. It is an internationally recognized destination and an essential stop when traveling the Peloponnese. It has officially been declared an as archaeological site, a place of great natural beauty, traditional village and monument of European Cultural Heritage.. The best way to reach the town is by walking the distance through the bridge connecting the island to mainland. Once you pass through the gates of the fortress you will be taken to a journey through time .
Mystras, the 'wonder of the Morea', was built as an amphitheatre around the fortress erected in 1249 by the prince of Achaia, William of Villehardouin. Reconquered by the Byzantines, then occupied by the Turks and the Venetians, the city was abandoned in 1832, leaving only the breathtaking medieval ruins, standing in a beautiful landscape.
Thermopylae Although not located close to Sparta we have chosen to mention this place due to the obvious link to Sparta’s history. Thermopylae is a mountain pass in Sterea or Central Greece, 210 km from Athens, and was a sacred place for ancient Greeks. It takes its name from nearby sources of hot springs and the narrow and rough passages in and out of the area. You can find the statue of King Leonidas there, and many stop to take a photograph. What few know is that the area has some of best natural hot springs. Have a look in the area as it has more than 6 hot spring locations —all with free access to the public. Page 4
Parthenonos 1,N. Erythraia Athens146 71Greece info@expoaid.gr / Tel: +30 210 6250365 / Fax: +30 210 6209905
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MESSINIA
Kalamata ‌ more than olives and olive oil Kalamata is mainly associated with the well know Kalamata olive. However, the vast groves surrounding the city bear other mainly oil producing olive varieties. Kalamata was from the ancient times a busy port. It comes as no surprise that the olives were associated to the port as everyone knew they were coming from Kalamata. What may surprise you is that the famous Kalamata olive is produced mainly in the area around Sparta. Additionally the vast majority of the total production comes from the area of Agrinio located in Western part of Central Greece. The olives coming from the area of Peloponese and particularly Sparta have a firmer flesh and remain crunchy once fermented, without the help of excess salt. These are the very origins of our Fos Kalamata olives, selected and cured naturally with sea salt and water, packed with care so as to stay crunchy and tasty to the very last olive in the jar. Kalamata is also a major producing area of currants and figs. In the recent years one family with a three generation tradition turned the well known Corintian currant from a simple raw material into an innovative and nutritious ingredient. The natural sweetness of the Corinthian currant inspired Kostas Papadimitriou to use it in Balsamic vinegar production. This pioneering approach resulted in a sweet and aromatic balsamic vinegar, rich in antioxidants and free from any additives and preservatives. Slowly Kalamata Papadimitriou Balsamic Vinegar became the No1 Balsamic vinegar in Greece. This success encouraged a development of a comprehensive range of condiments including Greek mustards based on balsamic vinegar, honey and Extra virgin olive oil, along with a range of balsamic creams and balsamic vinegars with fig extract and honey. The rich and fertile area of Messinia has a lot for you to savor and experience. You can choose diving, sailing, fishing or playing golf in one of the most scenic golf courses in Europe. If all these are too much for you simply relax on one of the many pristine beaches , organized or secluded, whatever serves you needs best.
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Parthenonos 1,N. Erythraia Athens146 71Greece info@expoaid.gr / Tel: +30 210 6250365 / Fax: +30 210 6209905
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Chalkidiki and Central Greece
Green olives, green hills , green waters A peninsula in North Greece, home to the famous Chalkidiki olive with big fruit and large pit, an distinctive olive stuffed usually with whole natural ingredients. Full with stunning beaches and green forests folding all the way to the waterfront this area is also known as the “Greek Caribbean “. Located in a proximity of Thessaloniki, this is an easy accessible destination, that will travel your mind miles away.
Walk the alternative root from Delphi oracle to the port of Kirra
Following the footsteps of the pilgrims of the Delphic Oracle to Kirra, the ancient port of Delphi, this path winds along Plestos river Total length: 15 km./9.4 mi. through the rich and vast Amphissa olive groves. It climbs to an altitude of almost Approx. time: 4hr. 550 meters, just outside of the archaeological Altitude diff.: 550m. site of the Delphi oracle. Difficulty : Easy These beautiful groves produce the Black Natural olives of Amphissa, selected by FOS.
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Parthenonos 1,N. Erythraia Athens146 71Greece info@expoaid.gr / Tel: +30 210 6250365 / Fax: +30 210 6209905
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Santorini—Thira
A Mystical place in its own right...
C
ousteau looked for the lost city of Atlantis on Santorini (Thira) . This crescentshaped gem of the Aegean, is actually a group of islands consisting of Thíra, Thirassiá, Asproníssi, Palea and Nea Kaméni in the southernmost part of Cyclades. The whole complex of Santorini islands is still an active volcano whose crater is in the sea, an enormous “pot” – today’s Caldera– with a size of 8x4 km and a depth of up to 400m below sea level.
The islands that form Santorini came into existence as a result of intensive volcanic activity; twelve huge eruptions occurred, one every 20,000 years approximately, and each violent eruption caused the collapse of the volcano’s central part creating a large crater (caldera). The volcano, however, managed to recreate itself over and over again. During the Minoan era, in the mid second millennium BC, the Santorini volcano erupted with Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) of 6 or 7 one of the largest volcanic events on Earth in recorded history. The eruption devastated the island including the Minoan settlement at Akrotiri, as well as communities and agricultural areas on nearby islands and on the coast of Crete. The settlement of Akrotiri was buried in volcanic ash, which preserved the remains of fine Frescoes and many objects and artworks. The settlement has been suggested as a possible inspiration for Plato's story of Atlantis. Akrotiri is the Greek Pompei, but here no uninterred human skeletal remains have been found. This indicates that an orderly evacuation was performed with little or no loss of life. Santorini is blessed with striking landscape, deep blue waters and rich volcanic earth. This small strip of land produces the best tasting tomatoes, wild capers and some of the most distinct wines of Greece. The combination of soil, sun and sea acts like a flavor enhancer, and creates intense tastes resembling the volcanic surroundings in which they grow.
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Parthenonos 1,N. Erythraia Athens146 71Greece info@expoaid.gr / Tel: +30 210 6250365 / Fax: +30 210 6209905
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Take the extra step to taste us‌. Many may find that our products constitute an exotic ingredient for them. For this very reason we have worked out a way to incorporate them in dishes that will appeal to many palates. Check our our facebook page where we will continue placing recipes from chefs to ordinary people who approach the ordinary with a spark and create something that many can enjoy! Follow us on facebook to get linked with all the new ideas and flavors that we can create with our olives, olives oil, balsamic vinegars, balsamic creams and mustards. Click to join our company. We will be there with interesting articles, announcements of our activities, recipes and more...
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Parthenonos 1,N. Erythraia Athens146 71Greece info@expoaid.gr / Tel: +30 210 6250365 / Fax: +30 210 6209905