Page 88 - NUMO JOURNAL 2024

FO L LOW Skoutari Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil by Vardas family

People from around the globe join Minoan
tastes team to learn more about this fascinating
culture, cook in Minoan-style pots over live fire,
and share a meal they won’t soon forget.

mer. This is a very different life from what
I have been used to for decades. I con-
stantly compare these different worlds
to make connections, better understand
human nature, and think about why we
create things. It is not a nostalgic feel-
ing but a need to build bridges between
communities.
So, the first vision I have when I think
about connecting my worlds (the States
and Greece/Crete) or the past with the
present is my daily routine. It sounds very
odd, I am sure! But one thing I notice now
is that when I am in Crete, I embrace
Mediterranean life and try to absorb it
in very tactile ways so that I remember
everything! When I am in Texas, teaching
at Baylor, I strive to teach young people
about the ancient Mediterranean world.
In the States, I absorb the ancient world Presenting
and think about the “daily routine” in a
very different way. In both places, Crete the new Skoutari
and Texas, I create living parallels to bet-
ter see and show the past and present, Olive Oil from
which surround me, in this way, and both
places stay close to me. Hondrolia Variety
What occasion brought you to Crete? How
did you find the place initially?
In the fall of 1997, I went to Crete to vis- Hondrolia or chondrolia, one of the three olive
it a friend and mentor of mine, Jennifer
Moody, who had studied and lived in WHEN I AM IN CRETE, I EMBRACE cultivars of Crete, is considered to be the oldest.
Khania for many years. At the time, I was MEDITERRANEAN LIFE AND TRY TO Unfortunately, it tends to disappear as the majority of
living and working at a craft school called
Penland School of Crafts in North Caro- ABSORB IT IN VERY TACTILE WAYS SO THAT olive trees have been converted into firewood. Today
lina and travelling to Mexico and Central I REMEMBER EVERYTHING! WHEN I AM IN it represents only 1% of the total olive oil produced
America in the winter to learn about craft
production. I was a potter and painter TEXAS, TEACHING AT BAYLOR, I STRIVE on the island. It is an olive oil with an elegant,
who found inspiration in the ancient TO TEACH YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT THE medium fruity flavour, with a subtle bitter taste
world. Crete, for me, was amazing! It be-
came a place that always felt like home. ANCIENT MEDITERRANEAN WORLD. and a spicy sensation, while it is available in limited
Besides ceramics and anthropology, you also quantities and only in the 60 ml purple packaging.
studied archaeology. Was the island an in-
spiration for this choice?
Absolutely! There is probably no place
in Crete that does not have an ancient Kamari PB3, Kritsa PQ 72051, Lasithi, Crete, Greece.
Tel: +306979693412 | Email: info@skoutarioliveoil.com
www . sk out arioliv eoil . c om
N U MO
88