ZAAZEY Wins Gold at 2021 NYIOOC

Turkish producer Zaazey has won its first-ever Gold Award at the 2021 NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, the world's most prestigious olive oil quality contest.

This award not only recognizes our dedication to producing the highest quality extra virgin olive oil, but also the hard work of our farmers, pickers, pruners and all the women who put their hands together for Zaazey.

Laura Qureshi, founder and CEO

The company produces extra virgin olive oil on Turkey's Aegean coast from Koroneiki, Arbosana, Trilye, Ayvalik and Arbequina olives using traditional methods. Zaazey earned the Gold Award for its blACK Label brand, a medium blend.

"Winning Gold, being recognized by the distinguished and respected NYIOOC judges for all of our hard work is a great honor," Laura Qureshi, the company's founder and CEO said.

"This award not only recognizes our dedication to producing the highest quality extra virgin olive oil, but also the hard work of our farmers, pickers, pruners and all the women who put their hands together for Zaazey," she added. "Through this award, their voices are heard."

For the producers behind Zaazey, the award is especially significant after an uncertain and challenging year caused by the disruptions of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"Covid-19 shut down our production and travel, putting all our farmers and business into a time of uncertainty," Qureshi said. "Despite all hardship, paying our farmers, pickers and pruners the wages they deserved in a time of uncertainty kept the dream team alive. Our valued trust in each other and open communication got us through even the hardest of times."

The NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, held each spring in New York, is the world's largest and most prestigious olive oil contest. Its annual listing of award winners is considered the authoritative guide to the year’s best extra virgin olive oils.

The complete list of winners can be viewed on the Official Index of the World's Best Olive Oils.