Our Story
How We Started Dalmatia Oil
We are a Croatia and UK collaboration. After 30 years in management consultancy, Dr Neil Jarrett, founder of Dalmatia Oil was exhausted: “I was stressed, not sleeping and drinking too much. I talked to my doctor and was offered prescription medication which I tried, but I didn't like the side effects. After researching alternative treatments, I stopped medication and tried a natural product that worked brilliantly for me. It helped me sleep, reduced my blood pressure and I felt energised."
Whilst working in Dalmatia on a mental health project supporting war veterans, some of whom were farmers and doctors, Neil met the Lepur family. He was astounded by the flavour of the olive oil produced from their farm, and the levels of polyphenols and oleic acid revealed in testing. These results were far higher than any EVOO he had seen marketed as high polyphenol or high phenolic. With both parties incredibly excited about the product's potential, a partnership was formed to market and sell Lepur olive oil internationally.
‘Lepur’ won gold awards at the New York, Berlin and London International Olive Oil Council competitions over the last three years. The awards are considered an essential buying guide for importers, distributors, retailers and chefs worldwide.
Although the Dalmatia region has not had the recognition it deserves as a premium EVOO producing area, the prestigious guide from Flos Olei has acknowledged Croatia to be the best world olive growing region for the last seven years. A combination of ideal climate, fertile soil and centuries-old practice. Whilst other countries and regions have sadly suffered with intense heat and changes in rainfall reducing olive crops, Dalmatia has been fortunate to have retained consistent weather conditions. We all hope and pray that continues.
We are located close to Zadar on the Adriatic coast, just south of Istria. Our extra virgin olive oil is harvested early and cold-pressed in our partner's state-of-the-art mill. We have mono oils and blends of up to six local olive varieties, of which half is Oblica, resulting in a medium to spicy taste reminiscent of grass and almonds. Our olives are hand-harvested and distinguished by their particularly high content of natural antioxidants.
We are a Croatia and UK collaboration. After 30 years in management consultancy, Dr Neil Jarrett, founder of Dalmatia Oil was exhausted: “I was stressed, not sleeping and drinking too much. I talked to my doctor and was offered prescription medication which I tried, but I didn't like the side effects. After researching alternative treatments, I stopped medication and tried a natural product that worked brilliantly for me. It helped me sleep, reduced my blood pressure and I felt energised."
Whilst working in Dalmatia on a mental health project supporting war veterans, some of whom were farmers and doctors, Neil met the Lepur family. He was astounded by the flavour of the olive oil produced from their farm, and the levels of polyphenols and oleic acid revealed in testing. These results were far higher than any EVOO he had seen marketed as high polyphenol or high phenolic. With both parties incredibly excited about the product's potential, a partnership was formed to market and sell Lepur olive oil internationally.
‘Lepur’ won gold awards at the New York, Berlin and London International Olive Oil Council competitions over the last three years. The awards are considered an essential buying guide for importers, distributors, retailers and chefs worldwide.
Although the Dalmatia region has not had the recognition it deserves as a premium EVOO producing area, the prestigious guide from Flos Olei has acknowledged Croatia to be the best world olive growing region for the last seven years. A combination of ideal climate, fertile soil and centuries-old practice. Whilst other countries and regions have sadly suffered with intense heat and changes in rainfall reducing olive crops, Dalmatia has been fortunate to have retained consistent weather conditions. We all hope and pray that continues.
We are located close to Zadar on the Adriatic coast, just south of Istria. Our extra virgin olive oil is harvested early and cold-pressed in our partner's state-of-the-art mill. We have mono oils and blends of up to six local olive varieties, of which half is Oblica, resulting in a medium to spicy taste reminiscent of grass and almonds. Our olives are hand-harvested and distinguished by their particularly high content of natural antioxidants.