Basil Olive Oil Products Ltd - extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, kalamata olives, tapendades, raisins, olive oil soap, olive oil moisturerizer and energy bars

Family History of Koutalianos

Koutalianos, our family name is famous in Greece. My father, Panagiotis Koutalianos, would tell me stories about our ancestor with the same name. Born in 1847, on the small island of Koutali (now called Ekinlik in Turkey) in the Bosphoros Sea (near Istanbul today).

Panagiotis (Panagis or Panais) Koutalianos was a man of Herculean strength, (no steroids or strength endurance enhancing drugs!). Panagiotis Koutalianos was a real person, a legend in Greece. To a non Greek the name means nothing, but to most Greeks who have heard the stories about his natural strength, ‘the Strongest Man of that era” sing songs of his legendary strength.

My father’s stories about a man with natural strength, that is born once every 100 years, stayed with me. Years later, a chance meeting of a Monk, Father Nikodimos from Mount Athos, gave me a copy of a book written in New York dated 1916, a biography of my relative Panagis Koutalianos. The book filled in the many things my father’s stories had not described. The early struggles of a young good natured Panagis Koutalianos who worked on ships. One story tells of 10 seamen struggling to pull in the anchor, he single handedly pulled up the anchor and freed the vessel he was working on. This was one of many stories that circulated about him that finally got him world recognition for his amazing power.

In the years that followed, he became the undefeated weight lifter and wrestler in the world. He fought over 300 men and was never defeated. He was famous for his headlock ‘karmaniola’ and the ‘airplane throw’. He traveled the world entertained and competed in Europe, America, & Buenos Aires. He was decorated by Queen Victoria of England for his amazing feats.

Three years ago, I followed my roots to a small island Lemnos in the Northeastern part of Greece, to a small village called Koutalis {renamed after Koutali Island} While I was there I met a 93 year old gentleman Vassilis Psarras, that was 8 years old when Panagis Koutalianos died in Constantinople. He was strong, never was ill, but in 1916 he died from an infection to his legs.

- Basil Koutalianos

Grassroots Story of GOLDEN OLIVE 'Eleni'

"The Wisdom of man is the knowledge of his ignorance' - Socrates

The estate in Greece of Basil Olive Oil Products Ltd - olive oil company selling extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Raisins, kalamata olives, tapenades, organic olive oil soap, organic olive oil moisturizer

Single Estate Farm in Greece

Basil Olive Oil Products Ltd is a family run business based in British Columbia, Canada. Basil and Helen Koutalianos head the business in Canada importing certified organic products from their Single Estate farm in Greece.

Although Greece is the third largest producer of olive oil, few people know this. Basil felt his Golden Olive ‘Eleni’® would achieve the respect it deserves. “Greece is blessed with a perfect climate and soil for the cultivation of olive trees. Truly the quality of its extra virgin olive oil has no equal. Greek olive oil, the link between God and Man.” It’s been a long family tradition and now it’s coming to Canada.

Single Estate Farm in Greece

It was our heart felt belief that everyone deserves to have excellent olive oil. It is so much a part of our culture, health, it’s our blessing & we want to share this with everyone. In Greece, olive oil is used liberally and not only for cooking, it’s also consumed medicinally. We provide quality products of organic farming, something that gives us great peace of mind.

Single Estate Farm in Greece

When we started our journey in this endeavour, we made a conscientious decision to deliver the rare quality of the fresh new harvest Golden Olive ‘Eleni’ ® certified organic extra virgin olive oil. We continue our commitment without compromise.

Basil and Helen feel strongly about making a committment to their community and have over the years supported such worthy organizations such as Farm Folk City Folk, Feast of Fields, Friends in Need Food Bank Society of Maple Ridge, Salvation Army, Friends for Life Society, MADD, Esperanza Shantymen of Vancouver Island as well as the Certified Organic Associations of B.C.