The South African producer’s robust extra virgin olive oil earned its third NYIOOC Gold, strengthening its standing in the global quality ranking.
Olive Oil Times |
Stellenbosch, South Africa — Tokara Olives has been awarded a Gold at the 2026 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition for Tokara Premium.
Tokara Olives produced Tokara Premium as a robust-intensity extra virgin olive oil distinguished by green tomato and tomato leaf aromas, layered with green pepper and a touch of vanilla, and finished with a firm black-pepper bite. Tokara Olives has said its approach centers on harvesting plump, ripe olives from mature trees to obtain natural fruit oil.
Tokara’s olive oil journey began more than two decades ago, when Anne-Marie Ferreira planted famed Tuscan olive varieties across the estate. Since then, the olive groves have matured into a cornerstone of the agricultural work carried out at Tokara, where careful timing at harvest and attention to handling are treated as essential to protecting freshness and preserving the oil’s characteristic pungency.
The 2026 Gold adds to Tokara Olives’ consistent record at the competition. In its full NYIOOC history, Tokara Olives has earned three Gold Awards and no Silvers, including Golds in 2024 and 2025, underscoring a steady ability to meet the contest’s quality benchmarks across multiple harvests.
The NYIOOC Gold places Tokara Premium among the world’s leading extra virgin olive oils. In the Olive Oil Times World Ranking, Tokara Olives is ranked #7 in South Africa, #19 in the Southern Hemisphere and #82 Worldwide.
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.