The woman-owned Turkish producer earned its second NYIOOC Gold for a medium-intensity Memecik extra virgin olive oil from the Aegean coast.
Olive Oil Times |
Salihli, Turkey — Gaia Oliva has been awarded a Gold at the 2026 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition for the Gaia Oliva Early Harvest Premium Memecik brand.
Gaia Oliva Early Harvest Premium Memecik is an extra virgin olive oil of medium intensity, produced from Memecik olives. Distinguished by eucalyptus aromatics and a bright green almond character, the oil develops along notes of leaf and pink pepper, finishing with a firm black pepper bite. Modern cold extraction is used to preserve flavor and aroma, with an emphasis on maintaining high polyphenols.
A woman-owned brand from Turkey’s Aegean coast, Gaia Oliva works with single-origin sourcing and produces olive oil at its own facility in Salihli, in the Manisa province. With olive growing embedded in local daily life, Gaia Oliva focuses on regional varieties and careful processing designed to retain freshness and express origin.
Recognition at the 2026 NYIOOC adds to Gaia Oliva’s established record at the competition. Overall, Gaia Oliva has earned two Gold Awards and three Silver Awards across five total distinctions, including one Gold and one Silver in 2022 and two Silver Awards in 2021.
The NYIOOC Gold places Gaia Oliva Early Harvest Premium Memecik among the world’s elite extra virgin olive oils. In the Olive Oil Times World Ranking, Gaia Oliva’s results contribute to its standing among award-winning producers tracked globally.
The NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, widely regarded as the world’s leading olive oil quality contest, is a trusted reference for consumers and industry professionals.