A Warm Feeling

I've just had an email from one of the crazy Kamarianakis brothers - they're the boys behind Artemis Olive Oil, an organic, single estate olive oil that just might be the best in the world.

For those of you who don't know, to qualify as extra virgin, an oil has to have an oleic acid level of less than 0.8% - something to do with how well the oil is made. Treat it badly and you'll crush the pits and up goes the acidity. Work too slowly and the olives will begin to ferment and up goes the acidity.

The other thing that indicates quality is the level of polyphenols, which are anti-oxidants and play a big part in the taste & smell of the oil. Anyway, the lower the acidity & the higher the polyphenols, the better the oil.

The brothers have just released the new harvest oil and it has an astonishing acidity level of <0.1% and a polyphenol count of 190 ppm (typical extra virgin has a level of 150 ppm) which means it is damn good stuff. They achieve this by being fanatical about what they are doing and only produce their oil in tiny quantities, just 1500 bottles this year. I managed to get hold of a few bottles of last years oil. It was delicious and worth every penny of the not inconsiderable amount I paid for it, but then the best things always are. The warm feeling? Oh, well it seems Tim & Chris like what I am trying to do over here and want to help out - here is the body of the email:

"Hey Tim;

Tim (my brother) & I have received so much help from friends and supporters over the past couple of years without which our venture would not have taken off. We feel very strongly about passing that kind of community spirit along where we can. We love your philosophy behind Just Cook, and would like to make a gift to your cooking school of a case of Artemis Olive Oil. We expect nothing in return for this other than the satisfaction of knowing we might have been one of many who helped you get your dream off the ground.

Kind regards

Chris"

That's one hell of a gift and I can't tell you how good it has made me feel about what I am trying to achieve. Thanks boys & keep on keeping on.