Olive oil tastes gold standard
A Nelson olive grower has won a gold award for their olive oil at a prestigious international competition.
Kakariki Olives was one of several New Zealand brands that received gold at the New York International Olive Oil Competition in May.
Growers Ray and Brenda Gregory, who have a grove of more than 3000 olive trees in the Redwood Valley, said they were taken completely by surprise by the news.
‘‘We had somewhat forgotten about the awards because of Covid, and then we got a text at 20 past 5 on Tuesday morning to say we’d won a gold medal,’’ Brenda said.
‘‘We were thrilled and so proud for New Zealand olives and the industry ... it shows that in New Zealand we are growing and making world standard olive oil as good as anywhere in the world.’’
Kakariki won the award for their Mediterranean Blend Oil, which includes kalamata, picholine and picual olives, and has flavours of cut tomato leaf, rocket and artichoke.
She said winning the award was a big boost after the lockdown, with sales being affected by the closure of the Nelson Market and the closure of restaurants they supplied around the country.
‘‘We feel really positive with New Zealanders holidaying in their own country, people are still going to look for quality produce and chefs will want to use quality products, so we feel once things start to pick up again it will start to get back to where it was.’’
In total, there were 900 entries from 26 countries at the awards in New York this year. Along with Kakariki, the other New Zealand winners were Kapiti Olives, Loopline Olives, Woodside Bay, Olea Estate, and Old French Road.