Emphasis on Quality

Pasiphae by Kokkinakis Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) continues to be recognized, even more, among the World Elite of quality olive oils by winning a silver quality award at the international competition in Berlin 2026 (Berlin Global Oil Olive Awards 2026).

Thus, in its ten years of presence on the market, it has won six quality awards, two gold (Berlin Global Olive Oil Awards 2024, Great Taste 2019) and four silver (Berlin Global Olive Oil Awards 2026,2021&2020, London Olive Oil Competition 2016).

All these distinctions, combined with its continuous awarding since 2016 with either a gold or a silver award from the Health & Nutrition Awards Committee, for its high levels of polyphenols, prove that Pasiphae by Kokkinakis Premium EVOO constitutes a stable gastronomic and nutritional value among the globally recognized quality olive oils.

Olive Oil Quality Standards

European legislation, specifically EU Regulation 2568/91, establishes the criteria for classifying olive oil as extra virgin. The oil must have no organoleptic defects and, provided that this requirement is met, its free acidity must be less than or equal to 0.8%.

Olive oils presenting organoleptic defects—such as rancid, musty, or muddy-sediment sensations—are classified, depending on the nature and intensity of the defects, as virgin or lampante olive oil.

The classification of virgin olive oils through organoleptic evaluation, also known as the panel test, is conducted by a specially trained group of tasters. The classification is based on the median value of the negative attributes (defects) and the intensity of the positive attribute of fruitiness.

Olive Oil Categories

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Median of defects: 0
Median of fruitiness: greater than 0

Virgin Olive Oil

Median of defects: greater than 0 and up to 3.5
Median of fruitiness: greater than 0

Lampante Olive Oil

Median of defects: greater than 3.5, or
Median of defects: 3.5 or lower, but the median of fruitiness is 0

Lampante olive oil is not suitable for direct human consumption and is intended for refining.

How the Panel Test Works

Tasting Panel:
A panel generally consists of approximately 8 to 12 trained tasters.

Tasting Conditions:
The evaluation is conducted using special dark-blue tasting glasses, which prevent the color of the oil from influencing the assessment. The samples are gently brought to a temperature of approximately 28°C.

Evaluation:
The tasters assess the intensity of the positive attributes—such as fruitiness, bitterness, and pungency—and identify any negative attributes, including rancid, musty, or winey/vinegary sensations.

Our Commitment to Quality

Guided by these quality standards and supported by our deep expertise in olive oil production, we aim to produce and market high-quality olive oils sourced from our own olive groves. Our goal is to offer products of exceptional character, including a Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil that stands out for its sensory profile and overall quality.

Our olive oil is characterized by its fruity, bitter, and pungent sensory attributes, very low free acidity—≤ 0.3%—and a high polyphenol content. Our quality-control approach also includes testing for pesticides, plasticizers, and other chemical contaminants, including MOSH and MOAH, where applicable.

Our Family Business

Our family-owned olive oil bottling and trading business, registered under the alphanumeric code EL40538, is located in the village of Vasiliki, in the Municipality of Gortys, south of Heraklion, Crete.

With an annual production capacity of more than 50,000 kg, we offer our olive oil in a variety of packaging formats to meet the needs of different markets and partners.

Pasiphaë by Kokkinakis: Cretan Heritage

The name of our olive oil, “Pasiphaë by Kokkinakis,” together with the bull and labyrinth depicted on our labels, reflects the Cretan origin of our product and our respect for an agricultural tradition whose roots reach back to antiquity.

The archaeological findings at Knossos and Phaistos provide enduring evidence of the importance of olive cultivation and olive oil production in ancient Crete. Pasiphaë, the wife of King Minos of Knossos and mother of the Minotaur, is a figure deeply connected with Cretan mythology and heritage.

Transparency and Product Assurance

By providing our partners and customers with comprehensive information about our olive oil—including its chemical and organoleptic analyses—we are committed to delivering products of consistent quality, authenticity, and safety.

Our aim is to offer olive oils that combine Cretan heritage, careful production, sensory excellence, and responsible quality control.