Boston-based purveyor of joy-inducing treasures from Greece, portoula, has been named among the top food and drink producers globally this year, picking up multiple Great Taste awards for their single estate, artisanal Greek forest honey.
14,195 products from 109 countries worldwide were put through the competition's rigorous blind judging process at the world's most coveted food and drink awards.
Portoula's Fir and Pine varieties each earned a Great Taste 2-star – 'above and beyond delicious' – a designation awarded to only 11% of products. Portoula Oak Honey was awarded a Great Taste 1-star – 'food and drink that delivers fantastic flavour' – awarded to less than 30% of products.
Described as having "a rich, earthy aroma like the forest floor after the rain" and "bold and wild with a lively finish", portoula Fir honey was a big hit with the Great Taste judges. Portoula Pine honey was described as "a gentle honey with so much going on". "A rich and vibrant caramel-like honey with the most unctuous mouthfeel", gushed another judge when describing portoula Oak honey.
Portoula's single estate, raw, artisanal Greek honey varieties are indeed a treasure. Unlike the blossom honey widely available in the U.S., portoula honey is forest honey – unmatched in flavour, texture, and nutritional benefits, it's a true culinary delight. Produced especially for portoula by a 4th generation beekeeper, nestled in the magical Arcadian mountains of the Peloponnese in Greece.
Portoula founder Nikki Menounos Daigel comments: "We are beyond thrilled to have won three Great Taste awards for our honey. It has been a tremendous honour to bring this exceptional product from my family's small Greek village to the United States. Not only is it a privilege to share something so special with the world, but in doing so, we support sustainable apiculture, our incredible beekeeper, and raise awareness of our universal connection to the earth and to each other. Being recognized by the Guild of Fine Food is a dream come true."
What is Great Taste?
Recognised as a stamp of excellence and actively sought out by food lovers and retailers alike, Great Taste - organised by the Guild of Fine Food - values taste above all else. All products in the line-up for judging are blind tasted: every product is removed from its packaging so it cannot be identified before entering a robust, layered judging process.
This year, judging took place over 89 days in Dorset and London, with a panel of more than 500 judges putting the products to the test. The line-up saw food and drink products submitted from an extraordinary 109 different countries worldwide.
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