By Lisa Radinovsky from Greek Liquid Gold.
At the largest olive oil contest in Asia and Oceania, the Olive Japan International Olive Oil Competition, Greek olive oils earned 12 Gold Medals and 36 Silvers. This year, 19 judges from 11 countries evaluated 803 olive oil samples from 29 nations. Prizes honored the excellence of olive oils made from several olive varieties in different regions in Greece.
Goutis Estate Premium extra virgin olive oil was judged the Best of Greece at Olive Japan for 2025. This medium intensity blend of oil from Koroneiki and Manaki variety olives was grown in Elis, northwestern Peloponnese. AMACS-Goutis Estate also won the Best of Greece award in 2022, as well as taking home the most awards for a Greek company at Olive Japan in 2024, plus numerous prizes from the competition each year since 2018. This time, they claimed three golds and five silvers for their extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs). Some of their awarded EVOOs are monovarietals made from Koroneiki or (in one case) Nemoutiana olives, while others are blends that combine Koroneiki with Manaki, Nemoutiana, and/or Makri olive varieties.
Another big winner at Olive Japan was Laconiko, with two Gold Medals for their Laconiko Blood Orange and Laconiko Garlic flavored Koroneiki olive oils, in addition to six Silvers for their extra virgin and flavored olive oils from Laconia, Peloponnese. This continues Laconiko’s trend of taking home numerous awards from Olive Japan—six to ten per year over four years. As a family business dedicated to honesty, painstaking hard work, and consistently high quality, the Laconiko team is proud to have their products honored and appreciated in Japan.
Greek Stewards of Tradition and Science for Health, Innovation, and Regeneration
The Master Miller also continued a several-year winning streak at Olive Japan this year with a Gold Medal for their Organic Blend of Koroneiki and Mpotsikoelia extra virgin olive oils, plus Silvers for four other organic and conventional extra virgins made from Koroneiki or Olympia olives, one a blend with Kolireiki olive oil. As Eva Papadopoulos points out, “behind every bottle is a community. Our Master Growers are not just farmers — they are stewards of tradition and science. In Asia, where culinary precision meets cultural depth, we believe Greek olive oil — and especially The Master Miller’s high-phenolic extra virgin — offers more than flavor. It brings health, heritage, and authenticity.”
With a Gold for Oleve Kolovi PGI and two Silvers for other Oleve extra virgin olive oils, Falcon S.A. continues to celebrate the success of a unique project. “Behind our olive oils,” explains Penny Tyllianaki, “lies a bold vision we brought to life: to regenerate deserted land on the Greek island of Lesvos, turning it into a productive, organic olive grove — a true biodiversity haven. With dedication and a deep love for nature, our CEO, Antonis Tirpintiris, transformed the land into a European ‘Lighthouse Project’ that was recognized by the EU for its positive environmental impact https://eu-cap-network.ec.europa.eu/news/inspirational-ideas-deserted-area-oasis-biodiversity_en and presented at Yale University as an ideal model of biodiversity.” In spite of continuing challenges, great effort, and substantial cost, “with our state-of-the-art mill and a passionate team, we are committed to sustainability, innovation, and bringing health-promoting olive oils to as many tables as possible around the world.”
Highlighting Less-Known Traditional Greek Olive Varieties
As Babis Papadellis explains, Papadellis Olive Oil proudly produces Gold Medal winner Sapfo extra virgin olive oil from “two traditional Greek olive varieties — Kolovi and Andramytini — in a rare combination that thrives in the unique microclimate of Lesvos. The olives are handpicked from dry, mountainous areas of the island, and we pay close attention to every stage of production and storage to ensure exceptional quality.” This quality has been confirmed by numerous awards in many international competitions, as well as an impressive sales volume. “As a family-run business,” Papadellis adds, “we want people to discover our homeland through the taste and character of our olive oil.”
Gold Medal winner Askra The Valley of Muses early harvest EVOO from Lymperis Estate in Boeotia (Viotia), Central Greece features the taste of another olive, the Megaritiki variety. Panagiota Lymperi explains that the “Megaritiki is a unique Greek cultivar, not widely known but prized for its special characteristics: an intense fruitiness and a delicately balanced pungent aftertaste. This makes it exceptionally versatile and enjoyable for all palates.” Christos Lymperis adds that “four generations of family knowledge and experience in olive cultivation and oil production” enable them to use their “state-of-the-art Pieralisi Protoreattore mill” to produce a flavorful, high phenolic oil from this olive. Moreover, “our vertical integration and eco-friendly production, which recycles all waste, highlight our dedication to sustainability and quality.”
Greek Olive Oil in Japan: A Perfect Match for Asian Cuisine
These are clearly excellent olive oils, but why should there be Greek olive oil in Japan? Eva Papadopoulos recommends Greek olive oil to Asian consumers because it is “rich in antioxidants, a cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet, and a perfect match for Asian cuisine. Whether drizzled over sushi, paired with steamed vegetables, or infused into broths, its balance and purity enhance without overpowering. We participated in Olive Japan to celebrate this harmony — the meeting point of East and West through food. It’s a prestigious competition with discerning judges, and we’re proud to represent the best of Greece on this stage.”
In fact, many Olive Japan prize winners will be on display at the annual Olive Japan Show at Courtyard Marriott Ginza Tokyo Hotel from June 29 to 30, 2025. As thousands of consumers who are interested in olive oil visit the Show each year, company representatives connect directly with consumers and buyers. In addition, judges’ comments about the award winning oils’ flavors and aromas, and information on where to buy them, appear in Japanese in an official Olive Japan e-book. This is noteworthy since Japan is the world’s fourth largest market for olive oil imports worldwide, according to the International Olive Council.
Olive Japan is organized by Toshiya Tada and the Olive Oil Sommelier Association of Japan (OSAJ), Japan’s only professional organization for training and certifying olive oil experts. OSAJ is independent from all olive and olive oil companies.
The Greek Olive Oils Awarded at Olive Japan in 2025
See the Excel document available on the Olive Japan website for the judges’ detailed tasting notes on each award-winning olive oil.
Greek Gold Medal Winners at Olive Japan
Company – Olive Oil – Intensity – Olive Variety or Varieties
Ktima Lymperis IKE – Askra The Valley Of Muses – Delicate – Megaritiki
Eleology S.A. – Eleology Single Variety – Medium – Koroneiki
Eleology S.A. – Eleology Early Harvest – Robust – Koroneiki, Olympia
Falcon S.A. – Oleve Kolovi PGI – Medium – Kolovi
AMACS-Goutis Estate – Goutis Estate Premium – Medium – Koroneiki, Manaki
AMACS-Goutis Estate – Goutis Estate Sakura – Medium – Koroneiki, Manaki, Makri
AMACS-Goutis Estate – Goutis Estate Miller’s Blend – Medium – Koroneiki, Manaki
The Master Miller – Papadopoulos Olive Oil P.C. – The Master Miller Organic Blend – Medium – Koroneiki, Mpotsikoelia
Laconiko – Laconiko Blood Orange – Flavored – Koroneiki
Laconiko – Laconiko Garlic – Flavored – Koroneiki
Melissa – Kikizas S.A. – Terra Creta Grand Cru Koroneiki EVOO – Medium – Koroneiki
Papadellis Olive Oil – Sapfo Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Medium – Kolovi, Andramytini
Greek Silver Medal Winners at Olive Japan
Company – Olive Oil – Intensity – Olive Variety or Varieties
Agricultural Cooperative of Aggelona – Agricultural Cooperative of Aggelona – Medium – Koroneiki
Agricultural Cooperative of Agios Dimitrios Zaraka – Agricultural Cooperative of Agios Dimitrios Zaraka – Medium – Koroneiki
Agricultural Cooperative of Gouves – Agricultural Cooperative of Gouves – Medium – Koroneiki
Agricultural Cooperative of Papadianika – Agricultural Cooperative of Papadianika – Medium – Koroneiki
Agriston Trade – Argilos I (Early) – Robust – Chalkidikis
Tombazis Olive Grove – Tombazis Olive Grove – Delicate – Koroneiki
Corinto Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Corinto High Phenolic – Delicate – Koroneiki, Nemoutiana
El. Renieris & Co – Nefeli Extra Virgin Olive Oil PGI Chania Crete – Delicate – Koroneiki
Falcon S.A. – Oleve Luma – Delicate – Kolovi, FS-17, Adramitiani, Koroneiki
Falcon S.A. – Oleve Shine – Delicate – FS-17
AMACS-Goutis Estate – Goutis Estate Bella Vista – Medium – Koroneiki
AMACS-Goutis Estate – Goutis Estate Bitter Gray – Medium – Nemoutiana
AMACS-Goutis Estate – Goutis Estate Metron – Medium – Koroneiki, Nemoutiana
AMACS-Goutis Estate – Goutis Estate Breeze – Medium – Koroneiki
AMACS-Goutis Estate – Goutis Estate Sea Breeze – Medium – Koroneiki
Greek Nature Estate – Vios Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Delicate – Koroneiki
Hellenic Fields Ltd – Ena Ena Organic PGI Olympia – Medium – Koroneiki
The Master Miller – Papadopoulos Olive Oil P.C. – The Master Miller Olympia PGI Organic – Medium – Koroneiki, Kolireiki
The Master Miller – Papadopoulos Olive Oil P.C. – Omphacium – Robust – Olympia
The Master Miller – Papadopoulos Olive Oil P.C. – Omphacium Organic – Robust – Olympia
The Master Miller – Papadopoulos Olive Oil P.C. – The Master Miller Koroneiki Organic – Medium – Koroneiki
Laconiko – Laconiko Koroneiki – Medium – Koroneiki
Laconiko – Laconiko Olio Nuovo – Medium – Koroneiki
Laconiko – Laconiko Clementine – Flavored – Koroneiki
Laconiko – Laconiko Lemon – Flavored – Koroneiki
Laconiko – Laconiko Citrus Habanero – Flavored – Koroneiki
Laconiko – Laconiko Zoi – Robust – Kalamata
Melissa – Kikizas S.A. – Terra Creta PDO Kolymvari EVOO – Delicate – Koroneiki
Melissa – Kikizas S.A. – Terra Creta Infusions, Olive Oil Naturally Infused With Fresh Basil – Flavored – Koroneiki
Petalas – Petalas – Delicate – Koroneiki
November PC – Antama Bio Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Delicate – Koroneiki
Ootopia – Ootopia Organic Koroneiki Single Estate Iliokastro – Medium – Koroneiki
Ootopia – Ootopia Blend Koroneiki & Manaki – Medium – Koroneiki, Manaki
Ootopia – Ootopia Manaki – Medium – Manaki
Greka Icons S.A. – Navarino Icons Daily Extra Virgin Olive Oil – Robust – Koroneiki
Sparta Gourmet S.A. – Sparta Gourmet Koroneiki – Medium – Koroneiki
*Originally published on Greek Liquid Gold: Authentic Extra Virgin Olive Oil (greekliquidgold.com). See that site for recipes with olive oil, photos from Greece, agrotourism and food tourism suggestions, and olive oil news and information.
