Lebanon's Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Production Earns International Acclaim
"Bustan El Zeitoun" Bestowed with 3 Global Awards, Showcasing Unparalleled Quality and Leadership
Once again, 2023 witnessed Lebanon standing proudly among the world's top producers of extra-virgin olive oil, with "Bustan El Zeitoun" garnering three international awards and solidifying its position among the top 100 players in the industry.
Nestled in Abra - Saida, a small town of Southern Lebanon, "Bustan El Zeitoun" breathes new life into a national industry that had long been in disarray. Drawing inspiration from the rich history, culture, and heritage of his hometown, Abra - Saida in Southern Lebanon, where olive trees have been preserved for generations, founder of “Bustan El Zeitoun”, Walid Mushantaf combined his will and passion to produce internationally award-winning extra virgin olive oil. What seemed like a distant fiction became reality through his commitment, knowledge, and respect for the environment and the land.
The latest recognitions, which are nothing short of outstanding, include three gold medals respectively won at the renowned "NYIOOC" World Olive Oil Quality Competition 2023 held in New York, USA; the esteemed "EVOOLEUM" competition 2023 in Cordoba, Spain, which showcases the finest 100 extra-virgin olive oils in the world; and the prestigious "Olive Japan International Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Competition" 2023 in Tokyo. This success story reasserts Lebanon's flagship position in a highly competitive industry and establishes the small country as a prominent player and force to be reckoned with on the global stage of exceptional extra-virgin olive oil production.
Spanning 500,000 square meters, their orchard boasts twelve Italian varieties alongside local cultivars. For more than a decade, "Bustan El Zeitoun" has adopted and embraced modern, sustainable, and eco-friendly farming techniques, thus combining best-in-class practices with global expertise to ensure the best care is given to their planted olive trees. These trees are specifically chosen, taking into consideration the soil and weather conditions of Lebanon in order to preserve the unique and harmonious taste and flavor that characterizes Lebanese olives and olive oil.
The selection process for the three competitions is carried out by a panel of distinguished worldwide experts who are internationally recognized for their expertise in olive oil tasting. Beyond the selection itself, the evaluation stage is a key component of the rigorous process as it follows extremely precise criteria and standards. These experts meticulously evaluate the olive oil samples, subjecting them to rigorous physical, chemical, and sensory tests to assess their quality, acidity level, flavor, taste, and the distinctiveness of their bouquet of flavors and aromas.
At "Bustan El Zeitoun", quality takes precedence over quantity. As such, production follows a thorough and meticulous management process. Harvesting begins during the green phase of the olives, using early morning hand-picked techniques to preserve quality and optimize productivity. Within a mere four hours after the harvest, the olives are methodically cleaned and sorted, with each cultivar being processed separately at the on-site olive oil mill. This critical stage guarantees the freshness, health benefits, and nutritional properties of
