FAQ

Kosterina extra virgin olive oils and vinegars are a cook’s best friend. Our extra virgin olive oils are produced to withstand high cooking temperatures (over 425° F) and our balsamic vinegars add depth of flavor to any dish. Lastly, our EVOO dark chocolate has been known to make the best indulgent-but-healthy desserts and treats. You can find our treasure trove of Kosterina-crafted recipes and recommendations here.

Kosterina products are not certified kosher. However, extra virgin olive oil is a naturally kosher product.

We highly recommend our products as gifts! You can add gift messages to any order during checkout and your gift message will appear on the packing slip.

If you are looking to purchase multiple bottles of any product for an event or you’d like to gift our products to multiple individuals, please reach out to our customer service team at hello@kosterina.com. Depending on the size of your order, you may be eligible for volume discounts. We are here to help bring your vision to life!

Kosterina is carried at retailers across the U.S., including Whole Foods Market, Crate & Barrel, Bloomingdales, and many specialty retailers. You can find Kosterina at a store near you here.

Kosterina ships to all 50 states, with the exception of cake which excludes Alaska & Hawaii.

At this time, Kosterina only ships to locations within the continental U.S. 

All orders will ship 1-2 business days after the order is placed. Cake orders will ship on the date selected at checkout - cakes are baked on Wednesday and shipped the same day.

Kosterina orders ship from Indiana, with the exception of cake, which ships from our bakery in New York City.

 Shipping is free for all orders over $75 (excluding Olive Olive Cake)

• Orders under $75 are subject to a $8.99 shipping charge
• Skincare-only orders under $75 are subject to a $4.99 shipping charge
• Cake orders are subject to a $15 shipping for orders of 1-2 cakes, plus $15 for every additional 2 cakes

Any subscriptions under $75 receive a reduced shipping rate of $4.50. All other subscription orders over $75 receive free shipping.

Kosterina EVOO and vinegars are bottled in glass bottles, so we ship all orders in heavy, corrugated cardboard boxes, similar to a wine delivery box, to protect the bottles.

Do not stress! A dented tin is a purely cosmetic issue that does not affect the quality of the oil. Tins leaving our facility are in perfect condition and well-packaged; however, on occasion, damage may occur in transit. We accept returns only when there is severe damage or leaking.

We want all our customers to be happy. If, for whatever reason, you are not, please reach out to hello@kosterina.com.

"EVOO" stands for “Extra Virgin Olive Oil,” and is pronounced "EE-voo." Since "Extra Virgin" is an official indication of quality, the term EVOO is the correct abbreviation vs. shortening to "Olive Oil" which implies a different quality product altogether.

The different qualifiers for olive oil reflect the point at which the olive oil was first extracted. "Extra virgin" olive oil comes from the very first press of the olive. “Virgin” olive oil comes from the second press. Finally, “pure” or regular “olive oil” can be from the third or 4th press. In addition, in order to be deemed extra virgin, olive oils must have a polyphenol content of at least 55 mg/kg, as measured at the time of harvest. All Kosterina EVOO has a polyphenol content of over 400 mg/kg. We, of course, don’t recommend you consume anything except pure extra virgin olive oil!

Polyphenols are a group of naturally-occurring, plant-based chemicals found in a variety of fruits, nuts, seeds and spices - including olives. Like other antioxidants, polyphenols are proven to fight against aging-related diseases like heart disease, high blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as certain types of cancer. In addition to their anti-aging properties, polyphenols contain strong anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, it’s thought that two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil a day is enough to provide these anti-inflammatory benefits. You can read more on our blog post here.

Kosterina EVOO is always harvested early. “Early Harvest” is a designation given to extra virgin olive oils that are harvested early in the season - aka when the olives are still unripe (aka green!) and have the highest polyphenol content (and therefore health benefits); therefore, harvesting olives early is key to making the best quality extra virgin olive oil.

Of course, as you might have imagined, unripe olives harvested early yield less juice, which means more olives are required to make a bottle of EVOO, which is why authentic early harvest EVOO tends to be healthier and more flavorful (...but also more expensive).

Yes, there is a lot of fraud in the olive oil market; many oils that read “extra virgin” on the label have been diluted with other refined oils and do not meet the necessary requirements (such as polyphenol content or acidity levels). You can find helpful information on our blog here.

Here are additional tips for spotting high-quality EVOO while shopping:

• Look for an opaque glass bottle. Light is the enemy to good olive oil, and plastic bottles can contain microplastics.
• Look for a harvest date on the bottle. You always want to make sure you’re consuming the most recent harvest, happens between October and January each year. 
• Read the bottle, looking for any reference to the source of the olives. Many olive oils are not from where they imply through branding. If you can’t find a source, stay away. 
• The best way to test quality is to taste it. We highlight how to test EVOO like an expert in this blog post.

To learn more about how to identify high-quality EVOO see our full article here

Olive oil has been proven to lower LDL (bad cholesterol) and raise HDL (good cholesterol) levels when used to replace saturated fat such as butter. It also contains beta carotene, vitamins A, E, D and K, plus many more healthful nutrients. Research shows these nutrients have beneficial effects on almost every bodily function.

Extra virgin olive oil has the lowest oxidation rate of cooking oils, meaning it is able to maintain its molecular structure when heat is applied. You want the lowest oxidation rate possible because oxidation promotes free radicals, chemicals that are highly reactive and damage cells. Some of this damage may lead to cancer and other disease states.

Extra virgin olive oil is also one of the best sources of antioxidants, which protect cells from damage and oxidation. Extra virgin olive oil also has an amazing skin- and body-protecting polyphenols called hydroxytyrosol. Studies show that hydroxytyrosol has among the greatest free-radical absorbing capacities.

It is recommended that a bottle be consumed within 3 months of opening for maximum quality, taste and health benefits (Since EVOO has so many uses and benefits, we usually finish ours well before 3 months!). That being said, our EVOO is still safe to consume after 3 months. It will just be less fresh, tasty or health-benefiting.

In a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and never in the fridge. We recommend displaying your beautiful, opened Kosterina bottles on the countertops in your kitchen - and your sealed back ups in the pantry!

Kosterina EVOO is harvested early in the season, in November or December, in Greece. The EVOO is then brought to the U.S., packaged and available for sale by March.

This year’s harvest was in November 2022. We always want our customers to only have the freshest EVOO, which is why this harvest will be available for sale only until next year’s harvest becomes available. 

Kosterina Organic Everyday Extra Virgin Olive Oil is certified organic.

Kosterina Original Extra Virgin Olive Oil (and all of our flavored olive oils, which use the Original as their base EVOO), are produced using organic farming methods, with no herbicides, pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. This product is not currently certified organic but we have applied for our organic certification and expect to receive it in late 2023.

Kosterina EVOO is always made from a single crop of early harvest Koroneiki olives - the most popular (and we believe the best) varietal in Greece.

All Kosterina EVOO is made with our high-polyphenol extra virgin olive oil. Our Organic Everyday EVOO has a polyphenol count of over 400 mg/kg as measured at the time of harvest, and our Original Extra Virgin Olive Oil has a polyphenol count of 570 mg/kg as measured at the time of harvest.

Kosterina has a chemical analysis done by a third party as soon as the harvest is complete each year. We use the Folin-ciocalteu method for phenol testing.

The acidity level of Kosterina Original Extra Virgin Olive Oil is .17%. The acidity level of Kosterina Organic Everyday Extra Virgin Olive Oil is .29%. For reference, in order to be deemed “extra virgin,” an olive oil must have an acidity level below .80%. 

The smoke point of all Kosterina extra virgin olive oils is over 425° F, making it an excellent choice for grilling, roasting, baking, frying, or cooking at most high temperatures. You can read more on the science of cooking with olive oil here.

High-quality EVOO should smell like fresh grass, fruit, or vegetables and reveal more fruit and vegetable flavors as you swirl it around your mouth and taste it. Kosterina Extra Virgin Olive Oil, made from Koroneiki olives, has notes of green tomato, artichoke, and banana. As a high polyphenol EVOO, when sipping or tasting it, you will experience a strong peppery sensation at the back of your throat when you swallow it (which might cause you to cough! a tell-tale sign of strong antioxidants).

The “best by” date on Kosterina EVOO bottles is not an expiration date, but rather a frame of reference for when EVOO should be consumed for maximum fresh flavor and health benefits. Our “best by” dates are marked for 2 years after harvest.

Kosterina Original EVOO is highly aromatic and intensely flavorful - a testament to its high polyphenol content of 570 mg/kg. It is ideal for drizzling, dipping, and finishing – any time temperature is not applied, in order to experience the full extent of its robust flavor.

The Organic Everyday EVOO has a more subtle flavor, a slightly lower polyphenol content of +300 mg/kg, and an incredible price point for the quality. It is perfect for using liberally when cooking any meal.

In summary, our blue bottle should live next to your stove and our white bottle should live on your kitchen table.

It is safe to use EVOO on your skin; however, we recommend using our Olive Oil based clean skincare line which uses carrier oils that nourish the skin without the potential to cause breakouts. 

There is a long history behind the effectiveness of EVOO and its benefits for the skin. Not only is it great for hydration and glow, but it's packed with antioxidant properties like squalene that protect your skin from free radicals, environmental damage and more. This was why we launched our skincare line - take a look here.

Our balsamic vinegar is made in Modena, Italy. Like Champagne, balsamic vinegar is a protected product; in order to be deemed authentic balsamic vinegar, it must be made in Modena, Italy.

Our balsamic vinegar is aged for 6 years in oak barrels that are 30 years old.

Like extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar is high in antioxidants.

No - it is recommended that balsamic vinegar be stored in a cool, dry place and never in the refrigerator.

If stored in a cool, dry place, balsamic vinegars are usually safe to consume for up to 3 years.

No sugar is added–the sugar content all comes naturally from the fermented grapes.

Made from White Cooked Grape Must, imported from Italy, and White Wine Vinegar, imported from Greece. Fruit is crushed and combined with imported products in the U.S.A.

No - it is recommended that crushed fruit vinegar be stored in a cool, dry place and never in the refrigerator.

If stored in a cool, dry place, crushed fruit vinegars are usually safe to consume for up to 2 years.

The vinegar used in our Crushed Fruit Vinegars naturally preserves the fresh fruit - it does not go bad, change in flavor over time, or need to be refrigerated. There are no preservatives or additives.

No sugar is added–the sugar content all comes naturally from the fermented grapes and crushed fruit.

Crushed fruit vinegar is one of our most versatile ingredients - it can be used in salad dressings, sauces, desserts, drinks. It also stands up well to heat, and you should not feel hesitant to bake with it or reduce it on the stovetop as part of a sauce. For recipes see here.

Our cakes are best enjoyed at room temperature with fresh powdered sugar sifted on top. Florence Fabricant of the New York Times enjoys her cake with a scoop of sorbet.

Approximately 8 people.

Kosterina cake will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 4 days, after which time it should be refrigerated - the cake will remain fresh in the refrigerator for another 5-7 days. Cakes can also be frozen and enjoyed, once thawed, for up to 3 weeks.

If cake is consumed within the first 3-4 days, it does not need to be refrigerated, but should be kept at room temperature and covered. If you plan to serve our cake up to a week out, you should keep it covered and in the refrigerator until then.  

Kosterina Olive Oil Cakes are baked fresh every Wednesday, in small batches, at Kosterina’s very own bakery facility.

Kosterina Olive Oil Cake is shipped via UPS and guaranteed to arrive within 2 days of your chosen shipment date to ensure freshness. The cake is sealed and packed in a cake box placed within a heavy, corrugated cardboard box to ensure the cake does not get damaged. Due to the perishable nature of this item, the following additional shipping surcharges will apply:

• $15 shipping charge to all orders of 1-2 cakes
• $30 shipping charge to all orders of 3-4 cakes

Olive Oil Cake is excluded from shipping promotions.

Not at this time. Our Olive Oil Cakes ship directly from our baking facility, so it cannot be combined in one shipment with other Kosterina products.

Olive oil is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, and has been linked to improved skin moisturization and anti-aging effects such as helping to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. When applied to the skin, antioxidants may prevent premature aging. Extra virgin olive oil has exceptional moisturizing and nourishing properties to hydrate the skin of both face and body. Kosterina early harvest olive oil has a high concentration of polyphenols, known for their antioxidant content, which is known to have tremendous health benefits.

We have formulated products with optimal levels of olive oil for each specific product in order to provide the maximum benefits of the olive oil to the skin while offering the perfect aesthetic performance such as quick absorption onto skin.

Kosterina skincare products is dermatologist-tested and are formulated with non-comedogenic ingredients, which optimally won’t cause breakouts or clogged pores

Kosterina early harvest olive oil has a high concentration of polyphenols, known for their antioxidant content, which is known to have tremendous health benefits. We have formulated skincare products with optimal levels of our olive oil along with ingredients such as Lachestim, known to reactivate youth proteins in the skin and olive-derived squalane, that protect the skin barrier, resulting in a younger, fuller-looking appearance.

Our packaging is made with recyclable glass bottle, paper carton and/or sustainable PP (polypropylene) recyclable plastic.

All Kosterina skincare products contain only the good stuff and none of the bad. We formulated our products without emulsifiers, parabens, petrolatum, paraffin, phthalates, toluene, triclosan, triclocarban, formaldehyde, aluminum powder and animal by-products.

An exceptional oil extracted from the Pistacia Lentiscus, a tree native to the island of Chios, Greece, Lachestim is known to reactivate youth proteins and improves the supporting fiber density. By reactivating cellular antioxidant activity that improves DNA protection and increases collagen synthesis, this core ingredient helps skin look younger and fuller.

Olive-derived squalene is a botanical lipid, known to hydrate and maintain the skin's barrier while it fights free-radical damages, this valuable lipid is extremely compatible with the skin to helps restore a more youthful appearance.

Our signature scent consists of an herb spice essential oil blend with hints of lemon, rosemary and lavender that are meant to transport you from your daily routine to the Mediterranean seaside.

Full scent profile: Cardamom Oil, Lemon Oil, Sandalwood Oil, Rosemary Leaf Oil, Lavender Spike Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Clary Sage Oil, Lavender Oil, Vetiver Oil, Patchouli Essential Oil, Spanish Marjoram Oil, Matricaria Oil, and Peppermint Oil.

Serums are lightweight, concentrated liquids formulated to help correct skin concerns such as hyperpigmentation and dullness. They are typically water-based and contain other moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid. Facial oils are oil-based liquids formulas and typically formulated with non-comedogenic botanical oils and includes plant extracts and antioxidants, which won’t cause breakouts or clogged pores. Face oils are rich, emollient formulas that helps moisturize and soften the skin and nourish the skin barrier while leaving a youthful glow.

We love our furry friends and do not test on animals.

Several ingredients in our products are certified organic.

If you have any specific skin concerns, we recommend consulting with your doctor or dermatologist before use. While we cannot make any medical claims at this time, you will see from our customer reviews that people with eczema have taken a liking to our products.