The ecological olive mill, aiming at producing olive oil of the highest possible standard, is a ‘first’ in Cyprus because it is the only olive mill certified to the HACCP, ISO9001 and ISO14001 standards.

The process of olive oil making lasts about an hour and a half and is fascinating to watch. After the deleafing, washing, and electronic weighing, olives are crushed both in the crusher and in the millstones (a harmonious combination of state-of-the-art technology and tradition). Olive oil crushed with millstones is of much higher quality. In France, for example such olive oils are sold at a much higher price than other oils.

Stones are crushed as well, as the polyphenols, a natural preservative are found within the stones. In order for them to be released, we need to crush the stones, which are separated and removed at the end of the process. Without the polyphenols, olive oil turns rancid very quickly.

The crushed olives fall then into the kneading units to be turned into paste for about 45 minutes. The entire process is carried out at low temperatures that do not exceed 25 C for cold pressing for the highest possible quality.

Next, the centrifugal decanter separates the crushed kernels and the skins from the olive oil without water added to the process. Consequently, cold pressing is secured (added water can even be boiling sometimes!), no water waste is created (this method is also called ecological). Water waste is so damaging to ground water that it has been banned in various regions with intense olive cultivation. As no water is added, the olive paste in the decanter is not diluted. As a result, the olive oil maintains fully all its nutritional elements, original flavor, aroma, color, and polyphenols. Finally, the oil is stored in rooms with controlled temperatures in stainless steel tanks to preserve its quality and longevity.

The ‘waste’ - the leaves, crushed kernels and skins - are recycled in the form of organic compost to feed the trees instead of using chemical fertilizers. Part of this is also dried out and used as fuel for the water boiler as an alternative form of energy, instead of using electricity for example.