Thanos tells us how, with dedication, effort, patience, a scientific approach, and a lot of love, extra virgin olive oil is produced by the Katsigras family in the fertile lands of Troezen. Let’s get to know him…
Tell us a few things about yourself. How did you start? What made you pursue a career in food production?
My name is Athanasios Katsigras, I am 25 years old, and I come from the beautiful island of Poros in the Saronic Gulf. I am a graduate of the School of Agricultural Sciences of the University of Thessaly, from the Department of Agriculture, Plant Production, and Rural Environment. I have attended numerous seminars related to olive trees and olive oil. However, I didn’t want to waste any time after graduation, so after completing weekly e-learning courses at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens titled “Marketing of Agricultural Products,” I also enrolled in a distance-learning program on product exports titled “Exports” at the renowned IST College.
I am the producer and founder of the Extra Virgin Olive Oil “THESEUS,” which is produced in the historic region of Troezen, and I am actively involved in promoting it both in the Greek and international markets.
Tell us about your brand. What does it represent? What was the purpose behind its creation?
The pure Extra Virgin Olive Oil “THESEUS” is produced organically from olive trees located in Troezen, in the land of the ancient Greek mythological prince Theseus, from whom the brand name is derived. The fertile land of Theseus, combined with the suitable climate of the area, has been cultivated since 1922 with the same strength, passion, and dedication by the Katsigras family.
The proper Mediterranean diet, with olive oil from these groves as a key ingredient, gave Theseus the strength to lift the rock under which his father had hidden a pair of sandals and a sword. Equipped with this gear, he began his journey to Athens and defeated many wrongdoers, bandits, and wild beasts who were terrorizing and killing people. His greatest feat was killing the Minotaur in Crete, inside the labyrinth where it lived.
During his journey, he encountered various places and unexpected landscapes that became part of his world. He faced adventures and challenges, which gave him new tools. These tools, combined with his dynamic character and physical excellence, are the virtues he developed. Strength is acquired through the cultivation of virtue, but the hero must also find a way to empower others—and in doing so, he strengthens himself.
Another key trait of a hero is having companions and caring for them. He may face great trials alone, but he must share them with his companions. He walks the roads of life alongside those who must go through similar situations. He protects their lives just as much as his own. Heroism is knowing how to recognize your friends and your enemies.
Theseus EVOO aims to follow this same path, with the same pure and noble characteristics.
How did it all begin? What challenges did you face?
The idea for the Theseus EVOO products started three years ago while I was still a student. The business itself was established just before the COVID-19 pandemic. As a newly founded business, it has been growing during the economic crisis brought on by the pandemic.
From the start, we’ve taken steady steps, maintained absolute honesty with our customers regarding our products, and offered 100% pure Extra Virgin Olive Oil produced from the land of Theseus. This has helped us steadily pursue our goals.
The unique history of the region, the knowledge I gained from the School of Agricultural Sciences, and my family’s experience in olive cultivation, combined with the pure, nutrient-rich Extra Virgin Olive Oil produced from our groves, were the spark that brought this idea to life in a bottle.
Tell us about your products. What makes them different? Are there any that you particularly stand out?
The packaging varies and can be adapted to customer requirements, either in glass bottles (50ml, 100ml, 500ml, 1L) with a flow-regulating cap and tamper-proof seal for safety, or in 3L and 5L tin containers.
a) THESEUS Extra Virgin Olive Oil – “MANAKI” Variety
b) THESEUS Extra Virgin Olive Oil – “KORONEIKI” Variety
The product range is completed by a unique, medicinal-grade product:
c) THESEUS Extra Virgin Olive Oil MANAKI VARIETY “HEALTH CLAIM – Source of Vitamin E” 250ml.
This refined, pure, and exceptional olive oil from the “Theseus” line is made from the Manaki variety and, following chemical analysis in an accredited laboratory in Greece, received certification for its Health Claim. It is released in specific – numbered 250ml bottles (Premium Limited Edition).
Specifically, the Health Claim refers to the increased content of Vitamin E. Based on analysis results, the oil is a source of Vitamin E, since a 20g serving contains more than 1.8mg (the legal threshold) of Vitamin E, according to the Recommended Daily Intake.
Therefore, under EU Regulations 1169/2011 and 432/2012, the olive oil can be marketed as:
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“a source of Vitamin E”
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“Vitamin E contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress”
This highlights the product’s significant contribution to human health. However, producing Manaki olive trees with such properties requires time, effort, patience, persistence, and a scientific approach to cultivation. My university education and hands-on experience with olive growing equipped me with all the tools necessary to achieve this result. The big secret lies in a combination of rational pruning each year, the dry-farmed and organic growing method, and the stress phase the trees undergo before early harvesting. After a long drought, the trees produce higher levels of Vitamin E in the juice of their fruits than usual.
d) THESEUS Soap – Our new product, made from THESEUS Extra Virgin Olive Oil, offers skin softness, rich fragrance, and 100% authenticity.
Here are some of the benefits provided by this particular vitamin:
a) Supports proper cardiovascular function and reduces the risk of heart disease. It may help lower the risk of blood clots.
b) Cancer prevention
c) May help prevent Type II diabetes
d) May relieve pain from rheumatoid arthritis
e) May help protect cognitive function
f) May reduce high blood pressure
g) May assist with weight loss
Tell us about your raw materials.
Our olive trees are cultivated organically and mostly irrigated (except for the Manaki trees used for the Health Claim oil). Certification of organic cultivation from an accredited body is a must for us to ensure quality and safety for our customers.
Organic cultivation is demanding for such a tree with unique characteristics. The olive tree, under tough conditions, exhibits significant alternate bearing. However, thanks to proper pruning, correct irrigation (except for the Manaki Health Claim trees), and the use of approved organic fertilizers (Bordeaux mixture, zeolite, and other minerals used in organic farming for pest and disease control), we’ve managed to reduce this phenomenon so that the same tree can produce well for two consecutive years!
By managing branch volume with proper pruning techniques, we keep the trees short, allowing nutrients to travel a shorter distance from the root to the fruit.
The soil in Theseus’ fertile land is red, indicating excellent drainage properties.
With the help of all the above factors, the oil from the Theseus Olive Groves stands apart due to:
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the fertile, well-aerated, and well-drained subsoil
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the ideal climatic conditions of the Troezen area
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the carefully planned cultivation method applied throughout the growing season on the Katsigras family land.
Give us a few ideas on how to use your products (other than the classic ones, tips or recipes, etc.)
As we all know, olive oil is widely used in cooking as a key ingredient in many dishes, especially in Mediterranean recipes. But would you ever imagine that olive oil could be a core ingredient in cocktail recipes?
Well, we’re working on exactly that! A video is being prepared with step-by-step instructions by a professional bartender we collaborated with, to create a delicious result. Stay tuned!
Can Greek producers make a difference during a crisis?
I think the question shouldn’t even include “during a crisis,” since, as far as I remember, Greece has always been in some form of crisis. If that alone determined success, then no Greek venture would have ever succeeded.
Yet, there have been, there are, and there will continue to be commendable efforts by Greek producers, startups, and companies both domestically and abroad.
I believe crisis creates opportunities—and those who discover and pursue them can succeed. In tough times, anyone with a good idea needs to believe in it, promote it, and follow through with faith, commitment, patience, and perseverance—because nothing grows overnight. A child is born, crawls, stands, and then walks. That’s how businesses are too. So: faith and vision!
Why did you choose to support the Wise Greece Movement?
Continuing from the previous answer: faith and vision! That’s exactly what we saw in Wise Greece, and we immediately reached out to its founder, Melina Taprantzi. Our Extra Virgin Olive Oil actively participates in the effort to promote high-quality Greek products while also contributing to the important social work Wise Greece carries out.
The smiles of those helped through this movement become our strength to keep believing, persisting, and dreaming of a better quality of life for everyone.
At this point, we want to extend a big thank you to Melina and all the other members of Wise Greece for the warm welcome they gave us from the very beginning. I also invite other producers and companies to join this initiative.
Together, we can do better!
