From Grove to Table: Panorama’s Restaurant Olive Oil Tradition

In the picturesque village of Afionas, situated on the enchanting island of Corfu, the Panorama Restaurant family has preserved a time-honoured tradition, passing down the art of cultivating and producing extra virgin olive oil through generations.

Participating in the olive harvest has always been an exciting aspect of our rural upbringing. Our family actively engages in cultivating olive trees and producing our own virgin olive oil.

The sacred olive tree has thrived throughout Greece and the Mediterranean, playing a pivotal role in the Greek diet and healthcare for millennia. Recognized as the father of Western medicine, Hippocrates named olive oil “the great healer” and prescribed it for various medical conditions. Homer gave it the title of “liquid gold” due to its numerous health benefits. Legend has it that Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom, gifted the olive tree to Athens, planting it on the Acropolis. In gratitude, the inhabitants of Attica named their city Athena (Athens) and dedicated their greatest temple, the Parthenon, to Athena.

The journey of our olive oil doesn’t end at the press – it’s a journey that intertwines the past, present, and future and it unfolds within Panorama Restaurant. This annual ritual not only ties us to our roots but also produces the liquid gold that graces the tables of Panorama. Proudly incorporated into our dishes, our extra virgin olive oil elevates the flavours and textures of our Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. The benefits of olive oil, from heart health to antioxidant properties, enrich every bite.

As our guests savour the dishes on our menu, they partake in a tradition that goes beyond culinary delight. The olive oil on their plates is a reflection of our commitment to organic, sustainable practices and the celebration of Corfu’s rich agricultural heritage.

Caring for Corfiot olive groves in Afionas Village is a labour of love that spans generations. Organic cultivation, with year-round care, produces the finest olives, reflecting the rich soil and Mediterranean climate.

With the changing seasons, our groves transform, showcasing branches heavy with ripe olives during the pivotal harvest season. This annual event holds a special place in our calendar, bringing our families together to handpick the fruit, a tradition deeply rooted in our connection to the land.

Following the harvest, a meticulous process unfolds to extract the precious oil from the olives. At the press, the olives undergo cold-pressing, preserving their flavours and health benefits. The outcome is a pure, unfiltered olive oil with a distinct Corfiot character.