Olive oil is the backbone of Greek cooking, and a tasting with an expert turns a bottle on the table into something you can actually understand. This session is led by a specialist who explains how oil is made, what separates a great extra virgin oil from an ordinary one and how to taste it properly, with a small glass, a warm hand and a sharp sniff. You learn to recognise the grassy, bitter and peppery notes that mark a fresh, high-quality oil, and to spot the flat, greasy flavours of oil that is old or poorly stored. For many people it changes how they buy and use oil for ever. Mykonos is not a big olive-growing island, since it is dry, windy and rocky, but the Aegean diet is built on oil, and the lesson fits neatly into a food holiday. The tasting usually pairs oils with bread and other simple foods, so you can see how a good oil lifts a plate of tomatoes, cheese or fish. It is a calm, indoor experience that suits any weather, including the windy days when boats do not run, and it works well for couples, food lovers and anyone who wants to bring home something better than a souvenir magnet. It is also a good rainy-day or midday-heat option, away from the beach.
How it works
You book a date and a time and meet the host at the venue named on your ticket. The session begins with an introduction to olives, harvest and pressing, moves on to a guided tasting of several oils and ends with questions and, often, suggestions for what to buy and how to store it. Check the length of the session, the number of oils, what food is served, the language of the class and the group size on your ticket, as these vary with the season.
Season and weather
Olive oil tastings are not tied to the weather, so they run for much of the year, although the main season is April to October, when more visitors are on the island. Because the tasting is indoors, it is a good choice for a very hot afternoon, a windy day or a break between beach and dinner. Fresh oil from the new harvest appears in the autumn, so an October or November visit can be a particularly interesting time to taste it, but check availability, because some venues shorten their hours in winter.
Making the most of it
Arrive without strong perfume or aftershave, which will interfere with the aromas, and avoid a heavy lunch or strong coffee beforehand. Take notes if you want to remember the oils you liked, and ask the host about storage, because light, heat and air spoil oil faster than most people realise.
If you buy a bottle, check the harvest date, the container and the acidity, and carry it in your hand luggage only within the limits for liquids. Pair the tasting with the food tour or a cooking class to build a full Greek food week.
Good to know
The tasting works best as a calm break in a busy itinerary, and the host is usually happy to talk about Greek food beyond oil. Ask about local cheeses, herbs and honey, and write down the names of the producers you liked so that you can look for them at home.
What to expect
The experience
A guided tasting of several olive oils with an expert, with lessons on production, quality and how to taste.
Best time
Any afternoon, particularly on a windy or very hot day, with autumn offering the freshest new-harvest oil.
How long
About one to two hours.
Tips
Skip strong perfume and a heavy lunch beforehand, take notes and ask how to store the oil you buy.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Food lovers and curious travellers who want to understand a basic ingredient of Greek cooking.
- Families
- Older children with an interest in food may enjoy it, but the tasting is calm and educational rather than playful.
- Couples
- A relaxed, indoor activity for two, with the chance to buy a good bottle to take home.
- Pair with
- The Mykonos food tour or a cooking class, and dinner in Chora.
- Time needed
- A couple of hours.
Good questions
What do you learn in an olive oil tasting?+
You learn how olive oil is made, how to tell good from poor oil and how to taste it, using aroma, flavour and the peppery finish.
Does the tasting include food?+
Most tastings serve simple items such as bread. Check what is included on your ticket.
Is it suitable for children?+
It is calm and educational, so it suits older children who enjoy food, but it is aimed at adults.
Can I buy oil afterwards?+
Many tastings offer bottles for sale. Check the harvest date and keep within your airline’s liquid limits.
When is the best time of year?+
It is available through much of the season, and the autumn harvest brings the freshest oil.
