This single estate Koroneiki from Ootopia is cultivated from a small newly planted grove of trees in Iliokastro, Peloponnese. The trees are young, which offers a different and unique flavour profile to olives harvested from older growth and more mature trees. Typically Koroneiki is a fruity cultivar, with flavours of banana. This example is not typical. It is very grassy and herbaceous with aromas of rosemary, oregano, and olive leaf. More green than ripe fruit flavours in the mouth. Flavour notes of tomato leaf and a healthy present bitterness of arugula and endive linger on the palate. Creamy fresh artichoke and tart juicy green apple roll into a bright finish. The pungency is present with notes of spicy mustard greens, capsicum and a linger black peppercorn finish.
Being complex and packed with well-balanced, present flavours and aromas, this oil is extremely versatile in the kitchen! It is bold enough to add to a spicy chimichurri sauce served with steak, or roasted beef or pork. It would be beautifully used in marinated feta with preserved lemon and herbs. Also, delicious in an appetizer of baked feta with roasted tomatoes, garlic and lemon, served with fresh pita bread. Drizzle over eggplant and roast, then blend more oil with the eggplant to make baba ganoush. Even tossed with some chopped roasted eggplant or chickpeas, red onion, freshly torn parsley, dill, a squeeze of lemon and a drizzle of Ootopia Koroneiki, it would be a simply delicious lunch.
