Let there be PHOS!
γενηθήτω φῶς (genēthḗtō phôs)!
God created the world in 7 days, and on the first day of creation, there was light. This fundamental quality of life itself is what Papanikolaou Nurseries have chosen to name their Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Phos, in Greek, means “light”. Photograph, photon, photocopy and phosphorus (light-bringing) all reveal the Greek foundation at the etymological origins of the English language, and just as Greek is at the root of language, olive oil is at the root of cuisine. “Phos” is particularly unique to our part of Greece too, as Mykonos sits just beside the island of Delos, the birthplace of Apollo. Who was Apollo? The God of light! And really, from here, you can almost taste the golden rays. Did you know that the quality of sunlight in Mykonos is unique in the world?!
Papanikolaou Nurseries have created Phos as their first ever Extra Virgin Olive Oil. A ‘nursery’ refers to the place of plant cultivation in this instance. The Papanikolaou family is the most renowned in this sector in all of Greece. They were founded by Agronomist Mr. Stelios Papanikolaou, who has been an active entrepreneur since 1965 in the Greek and European floricultural sector. The company is prized in the production and trade of outdoor ornamental plants, landscape plants, as well as agricultural materials such as soils and pots. They are furthermore, wonderful landscape architects and constructors, with fields and greenhouses boasting over 400 species and varieties of flora, citrus fruits, olives and other fruit trees.
Based in Marathon, the grove is home to a range of product cultivation including Wine, Honey, Potatoes, Mini Tomatoes, and of course this delightful Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Marathon is renowned for the battle between the Persians and the Greeks in 490 BC. According to Herodotus, there were 6,400 Persian bodies, versus only 192 Athenians lost. After the battle, Phidippedes ran from Marathon to Athens to deliver the message that the Greeks had won! And this is how the word marathon became what it is today.
Always loyal to their own vision of exceeding best practice and standards, it is no surprise that the Papanikolaou family have now given light to an exceptional Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This golden nectar of Phos is a premium and limited production product created in their private groves. Certified by the prestigious GLOBAL GAP Protocol (Good Agricultural Practice), Phos Extra Virgin Olive Oil is obtained directly and solely from the finest Koroneiki variety olive trees. The cold, mechanical extraction takes place under 26oC only moments from harvest and is bottled manually.
A very low acidity olive oil with an abundant taste profile, full of notes of freshly cut grass, artichoke, tomato, chicory, red apple and green almond. Its rich, long lasting aftertaste glows with the passion that the creators of Phos have instilled in it. Taste Phos on leafy greens, steamed vegetables, Greek salad, red meats, poultry, white fish, pizzas, pasta and chocolate desserts.
Maybe even close your eyes, and taste the light!
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