True Olive Private Reserve and Luxe earned Gold awards, strengthening the Turkish producer’s record at the world’s leading olive oil quality contest.
Olive Oil Times |
Turkey — True Olive has been awarded two Gold Awards at the 2026 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition for True Olive Private Reserve and Luxe.
True Olive earned a Gold for True Olive Private Reserve, a medium-intensity extra virgin olive oil made from the Edremit cultivar. The oil is distinguished by a green, savory fruitiness, with impressions of artichoke and leaf, lifted by arugula and green almond and finished with a gentle pink peppery bite.
True Olive also received a Gold for Luxe, a medium-intensity extra virgin olive oil produced from the Ayvalik cultivar. Together, the two awards underscored the producer’s ability to craft distinct expressions from Turkey’s prominent varieties while meeting the competition’s stringent quality standards.
True Olive traces its modern chapter to a family decision made two decades ago, when the founder’s father-in-law fulfilled the founder’s mother-in-law’s dream of owning an olive farm. The project later faced an abrupt test: a fire swept through the land a decade ago, damaging trees and forcing a choice between replanting and rehabilitation. Rather than starting over, the family chose to nurture the burned trees and enrich the soil, a long recovery that ultimately led to regenerated groves and fruit they described as distinctive in character.
The recovery shaped the next stage of investment in the farm. True Olive rebuilt with partner Mehmet T, blending tradition and technology in its approach to producing extra virgin olive oil, and the gradual payoff of patience and careful work has been reflected in its growing recognition in international competition.
The 2026 results add to True Olive’s established NYIOOC record of five awards overall: four Gold and one Silver. True Olive previously earned two Gold Awards in 2025 and a Silver Award in 2024.
With the latest honors, True Olive also advanced in the Olive Oil Times World Ranking, placed at #7 in Turkey, #72 in the Northern Hemisphere and #76 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.