Our family history and the ‘Tree of life’.
Maria and Sofia inherited the olive orchards from their father, on his passing. They are situated in an area known as Aitania, which is close to the ancient Cretan palace of Knossos. Over a decade ago, they made a family commitment to nurture their olive trees organically, which initially entailed many challenges involved in the organic-farming processes. Their reverence for the idyllic nature of this unspoiled region, combined with an overall respect for the environment, made adopting the principle of sustainability a matter of obligation, pleasure and excitement to the two sisters.
Their orchards continue to be exclusively of the Koroneki tree variety, thus maintaining a product that is inherently rich in antioxidants. Archaeological finding in east Cretan cities have uncovered ancient vases with olives inside them, as well as an olive mill. These findings suggest that the Koroneki tree has been cultivated in Crete since Minoan times, well over 3,500 years ago.
The Tziraki family’s history is closely wedded to the ‘tree of life’ via their own olive orchards. It was Maria and Sophia’s father and grandfather who, in 1954, uncovered the ancient Minoan vessel which was adorned by a branch of olive-tree leaves. This artefact dates back to 1700 BC, and is now conserved in the Heraklion Archeological Museum, commemorated for future generations as Aitania’s ‘tree of life’.
Commemorating their family history, influenced as it is by the traditional cultivation they have known since our childhood, the Tziraki family are honoured to be the producers of ITANIA’s premium-quality extra virgin olive oil. They commemorate the intergenerational history of their orchards with their trading name in the UK, My Father’s Land. The offer this product directly from their family to yours, doing so with tradition, love and care.
Read More
