Learn About the Burn!
The "burning" or "stinging" sensation in the back of your throat after tasting extra virgin olive oil is a definitive marker of high-quality, extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO).
This sensation is known in the industry as pungency.
2025 Harvest
2025 Koroneiki Arbequina Blend - California Extra Virgin Olive Oil
$24.00
Grown & Harvested on our Brentwood, CA Farm
Certified Extra Virgin, Chemically & Sensory Tested
Pesticide-Free Farming
Free shipping when you purchase 2+ bottles
Our 2025 Koroneiki Arbequina Blend brings together two celebrated Mediterranean varietals with deep culinary heritage. Koroneiki, long prized in Greece for its bold, peppery character, adds vibrant intensity. Arbequina, a beloved Spanish varietal known for its smooth, buttery profile, brings softness and balance. Together, they create a flavorful, medium‑robust oil.
This year’s blend is an early‑harvest olive oil, picked while the fruit was still young and green—capturing brighter flavor and naturally higher polyphenol levels that come from harvesting early in the season.
Freshly milled from our Brentwood orchard, this California extra virgin olive oil is bright, versatile, and full of natural character. Drizzle it over grilled vegetables, finish roasted fish, whisk it into dressings, or pair it with warm bread. This blend elevates everyday cooking with the freshness of our orchard and the richness of Mediterranean tradition.
View Chemical Analysis
View Chemical Analysis
- Region: North Coast - Brentwood, CA 94513
- Total Polyphenols **mg/kg = 335
- This is within the medium range:
250 - 400 mg/kg
- This is within the medium range:
- Harvest Date: 11/9/25
- Size: 500 ml bottles (16.9 Fl. Oz)
- Bottle size: Height: 10.9 inches x Bottle diameter: 2.4 inches
100% California Extra Virgin Olive Oil - cold pressed from Koroneiki and Arbequina olive varietals (Koroneiki 65%, Arbequina 35%) - unfiltered
Why it "Burns"
The burn is caused by a specific natural antioxidant phenolic compound called oleocanthal that is found in extra virgin olive oil.
- The Receptor: Your throat contains a specialized sensory receptor called TRPA1. While this receptor is absent from the mouth and tongue, it is abundant in the upper throat and nasal cavity.
- The Reaction: When you swallow high-quality oil, oleocanthal specifically activates these TRPA1 receptors, triggering the stinging sensation or even a slight cough. Tasters often use a "one-cough" or "two-cough" rating to describe the oil's strength—the more you cough, the higher its health-promoting properties!
- The Ibuprofen Link: Interestingly, oleocanthal and ibuprofen trigger the exact same receptor, which is why they both cause a similar throat-catch sensation.
Antioxidant Properties:
Learn to Love the Burn!
In olive oil, oleocanthal works alongside other well-known antioxidants like hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein.
While hydroxytyrosol is often cited as the most potent antioxidant in the oil for cardiovascular health, oleocanthal is the primary compound responsible for the peppery "stinging" sensation that indicates high bioactivity and freshness.
What Oleocanthal Does for Your Body
Oleocanthal contributes to the body's defense against oxidative stress through several mechanisms:
G
This is the highest quality olive oil you can find. The flavor is great abd the grower/owners are fantastic people to work with. Everything about this product is beautiful.
J
You can see the care behind this product.
From the thoughtful packaging to the information included on the bottle, you can immediately tell how much care and attention to detail goes into Stavros Olive Company. I especially appreciate the transparency and education behind the product. They don't just sell olive oil, they help you understand where it comes from, how it's made, and what to look for in a quality extra virgin olive oil.
It's refreshing to find a product with such a personal story behind it and people who are clearly passionate about what they produce.
M
The oil is SMOOTH, DELICIOUS, and perfect for drizzling over bread, vegetables, and fish!! I will certainly continue to purchase and gift to others!
Mary M
A
This beautiful luscious EVOO is delicious. I carry in my gift shop and people have repurchased many times. I have Starvos in my kitchen and use it all the time, especially on salads, dips and appetizers!!
A
This oil has a light peppery taste. Clean. Perfect for drizzling over vegetables and fish or alone with bread. I appreciate seeing the harvest date on the label.
P
Love that the harvest year is right on the bottle. So many olive oils sit on shelves waiting to be sold for years without you knowing. With these, you know exactly what you're getting and the flavor prooves it!
C
This is the real deal. The Koroneiki Arbequina Blend has a peppery finish I wasn't expecting from a California oil, in the best possible way. It lingers just long enough to let you know it's fresh. Nothing like the watered-down stuff at the grocery store!
N
"This olive oil is of exceptional quality. It has a robust flavor with a pleasant peppery burn, showing it's fresh and packed with antioxidants.
It's simply the best olive oil l've ever tried-perfect for elevating any dish."
E
Great product. Thank you!!
E
As someone who spent more than four decades as a chef and restaurateur, I learned that exceptional ingredients are the foundation of exceptional food. I’ve worked with countless olive oils over the years, and the olive oil from Stavros Olive Company is among the finest I’ve ever used.
I’ve incorporated it into a wide variety of recipes—from homemade vinaigrettes, roasted vegetables, and pasta dishes to marinades, grilled meats, and even olive oil ice cream—and every single dish has come out beautifully. The flavor is fresh, rich, smooth, and perfectly balanced, with a pleasant peppery finish that speaks to its outstanding quality.
Great olive oil should enhance a dish without overpowering it, and that’s exactly what Stavros Olive Company’s olive oil does. It elevates every recipe, whether it’s a simple salad or an elaborate meal.
I don’t give compliments lightly after a lifetime in the restaurant industry, but this is an olive oil I wholeheartedly recommend. It has earned a permanent place in my kitchen, and I look forward to cooking with it for years to come.
M
I've been buying Olive Oil for years now. I have never experienced "The Burn" which I love. Those other Oils do not have a burn to follow. Thank you for educating me on the making of a wonderful product. When this bottle is finished, I will be buying a couple of bottles. Great product...
A
Delicious, High quality olive oil!
K
My husband absolutely loves your olive oil. He’s been working hard to lower his cholesterol and triglycerides, which have been dangerously high in the past. Almost every workday, I’ve been making him salads and he’s been using your olive oil with balsamic vinegar — and he loves it!
We’re so excited because he’s now only a few points above the normal range for both cholesterol and triglycerides! He truly believes your delicious olive oil has played a major role in helping him make healthier choices and improve his numbers. We’re beyond grateful to have found a product that not only tastes amazing, but has become such an important part of his daily routine.