Resilience in a Bottle: Understanding Our Latest Lab Results

We often say that olive trees are mirrors of the people who care for them. They stand through storms, they endure dry summers, and they persist. This year, our ancient trees in Rameh taught us another lesson: Resilience.

As many of you know, this year’s harvest was smaller in quantity. But nature has a way of balancing itself. When the tree produces less fruit, it often pours more energy and vitality into the few olives that remain.

We just received our official laboratory analysis from Veltia Cyprus, and the results confirm exactly that.

 

The Big Number: 1,024 mg/kg

 

We are incredibly proud to announce that our 2025 Reserve Harvest has tested at 1,024.4 mg/kg of Total Polyphenols.

To put this number in perspective:

• Standard Supermarket Oil: Often contains between 50–150 mg/kg.

• The EU Health Standard: To legally claim that an olive oil protects blood lipids from oxidative stress, the European Union requires a minimum of roughly 250 mg/kg.

• Our Harvest: We have achieved 4x the requirement for the European Health Claim.

This places our oil in the "Nutraceutical" category. It is no longer just a cooking ingredient; it is a functional superfood.

 

What is Inside the Bottle?

 

A high number is great, but what does it actually mean for your body? Here is a breakdown of the specific compounds found in this year's analysis:

1. Hydroxytyrosol (18.3 mg/kg) This is often considered the "king" of antioxidants. It is one of the few powerful antioxidants small enough to cross the blood-brain barrier. Our analysis shows 18.3 mg/kg of free Hydroxytyrosol—a high concentration that indicates the fruit was harvested at the perfect moment of maturity.

2. Oleocanthal (164.2 mg/kg) Have you ever tasted our oil and felt a peppery "kick" or a slight sting in the back of your throat? Do not worry—that is a good sign! That sensation is caused by Oleocanthal, a natural compound studied for its anti-inflammatory properties. It is the sign of a living, active oil.

3. Oleacein (133.2 mg/kg) This compound is responsible for the bitterness on the tongue. It is a powerful antioxidant known for protecting blood lipids (cholesterol) from oxidation—essentially keeping your heart and arteries healthy.

 

Transparency: The Official Report

We believe you deserve to know exactly what you are eating. Below is the official data from our Certificate of Analysis for the current batch we are shipping.

 

How to Use This Oil

Because this harvest is so potent, you don’t need much to feel the benefits.

• For Health: We recommend taking one tablespoon raw every morning on an empty stomach.

• For Food: Drizzle it over salads, labneh, or warm dishes after cooking. Avoid overheating it in a pan, as high heat can break down these precious polyphenols.

 

A Note of Gratitude

Producing oil of this caliber is not easy. It requires early harvesting (sacrificing quantity for quality), immediate cold pressing, and careful storage. But results like these make every hour of labor worth it.

Thank you for trusting us to bring this medicine from our groves in the Galilee to your table.

Sahtain (To your health),

Basma Khalaf Khalaf Olives