Zeytin Reserve Awarded for Outstanding Memecik

Zeytin from Turkey has won a Silver Award at the 2020 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, the world's most prestigious olive oil quality contest.

You know it's just like when growing up how kids seek approval and compassion from their elders -- in many funny ways it surely feels this way. Such an amazing thing to get the seal of approval on something you worked so hard for day in and day out.

A. Serdar Caskurlu

The company produces extra virgin olive oil from Memecik olives using traditional harvesting methods.

The award went to its Zeytin Reserve, a medium-intensity Memecik produced by Hizirlar Medikal Gida San. ve Tic. Ltd Sti.

The 2019/2020 season was marked by significant challenges, the company's owner, A. Serdar Caskurlu said after receiving news of the award.

Weather posed a significant challenge, I remember waiting day-after-day at the groves for rain to hit so we can see our olives grow. We also had many regions around us hit with various diseases and were hoping to be safe from the unmistakable impacts. Oh well, it was all worth it from sleepless nights to early mornings, all worth it!

The NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, held each spring in New York, is the world's largest and most prestigious olive oil contest and its annual listing of award winners is considered the authoritative guide to the year’s best extra virgin olive oils.

The complete list of winners can be viewed on the Official Index of the World's Best Olive Oils