Discover the story behind Tsamali Extra Virgin Olive Oil, from its origin in a small Greek village rich in tradition to becoming a world-class extra virgin olive oil — a story of family, heritage, and the pursuit of purity embodied in every bottle.
On a sunny hillside in central Greece lies the village of Tsamali, where olive trees have long been a part of everyday life. Every November, locals gather to harvest the olives and deliver them to the refinery for immediate cold-pressing. From this ritual comes Tsamali Extra Virgin Olive Oil, a product defined by purity, freshness, and superior quality.
For Panos, the founder of Tsamali, sharing his family’s oil means sharing generations of knowledge, heritage, and the character of his village’s groves.
Two Villages, One Heritage
The story begins with Panos’s grandparents, who lived between two villages. In the summers, they were shepherds in the mountain village of Leontito, producing honey among the alpine pastures. Each winter, they returned to Tsamali, where the olive groves awaited with their abundance of fruit.
This seasonal rhythm – honey in the mountains, olives in the valley – became the foundation of a family tradition.
“I never realised it was special,” Panos says, recalling his childhood. “We always had our own oil. Later, when friends came over and tasted it, they were amazed. That’s when I understood this was something worth sharing.”
The oil is produced from the Koroneiki variety of olive, harvested by hand and cold-pressed within hours to preserve flavour and nutrition. Panos works alongside his uncle and cousins, continuing the work of his grandparents.
“It’s not just me,” he explains. “When the harvest comes, everyone is there – family, neighbours, and friends. It’s something that brings people together.”
This sense of community is bottled with every liter, turning a family tradition into something to be enjoyed far beyond the village.
Distinctive Taste, Natural Health
In every bottle, Tsamali combines exceptional flavour with proven health benefits, offering both a culinary delight and a heritage of wellbeing.
Tsamali’s extra virgin olive oil is defined by its fruit-forward character: notes of fresh grass and almond, smooth on the palate, and finishing with the characteristic peppery kick that signals high polyphenol content.
An integral part of the Mediterranean diet, polyphenols are powerful natural compounds that support cardiovascular health, help lower cholesterol, reduce the risk of chronic illness, and are celebrated for their role in longevity.
“This is real extra virgin olive oil,” Panos says. “You can smell its freshness, taste its vibrancy. Once you’ve tried it, you can never go back to ordinary oil.”
Designed with Elegance
Sunlight directly affects the quality and integrity of olive oil. Tsamali’s dark glass bottles and tins are designed with this in mind, protecting the oil from light and preserving its flavour. The newly launched 500 ml bottle with gold accents is both elegant and practical, reflecting and conserving the premium quality of the oil.
“Good olive oil deserves to be treated with respect,” Panos notes. “The packaging is there to protect it and to show that what’s inside is something special.”
Panos Shares His Tips for Enjoying Tsamali Olive Oil
“When people ask me how to use Tsamali Olive Oil, I always tell them to keep it simple,” Panos says with a smile. “Start with fresh bread. Dip it straight into the oil and you’ll immediately taste the fruitiness and the peppery finish.”
He also loves it drizzled over ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, or a bowl of mixed greens, where its Mediterranean freshness comes alive. For fish or meat, his advice is to squeeze a little lemon, sprinkle oregano, and then pour generously. “It creates a sauce that’s easy and so delicious.”
And finally, Panos suggests using the oil as a finishing touch. Whether on grilled vegetables, pasta, or even swirled through soup, a few drops bring out flavours without overwhelming them.
“You don’t need to complicate it,” he says. “A few drops of good olive oil can transform the simplest food into something extraordinary.”
The Soul of Tsamali
A bottle of Tsamali Extra Virgin Olive Oil is an expression of heritage. It carries the memory of shepherds moving between mountains and valleys, of harvests shared among family and friends, of a village proud of its name.
For Panos, sharing this oil is about more than just the taste. It is about offering authenticity, connection, and the spirit of a community.
As he puts it: “When you open a bottle of Tsamali, you’re opening part of my family’s story. And that’s something I want the world to experience.”
Equally at home in the kitchens of Michelin-starred restaurants as it is on the family dining table, Tsamali Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a celebration of exceptional flavour and heritage to be enjoyed everywhere.
We’re lucky in Bern – a product sought after by Michelin-starred chefs and discerning restauranteurs is right on our doorstep! Tsamali Extra Virgin Olive Oil is available in the LOEB department store’s fine food section and at Romance Living in the Old Town. Or get in touch with Panos directly through the Tsamali website, www.tsamali.ch
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