PJ Kabos Family Legacy: Remembering a Grand Lady | PJ Kabos Journal
- Aug 9, 2023
- 4 min read
In the PJ Kabos Journal, you'll find stories from our family groves, memorable moments across Greece, olive oil tastings, company milestones, inspiring people, travels, and discoveries from the wider world of olive oil. Together, they tell the continuing story of our passion for exceptional extra virgin olive oil and the Mediterranean way of life.
Every olive grove has a history, and every family business has people whose lives continue to shape it long after they are gone. On the anniversary of her birth, we remember Maria Panagiotopoulou — a woman of grace, faith and quiet strength whose legacy lives on through the olive trees she so dearly loved.
A Legacy Rooted in Love
PJ Kabos founder James Panagiotopoulos' grandmother, the beautiful and stylish Maria Panagiotopoulou, lovingly known as "Yiayia" by James and her other grandchildren and as Kyria Maria to everyone else, graced this world with her presence for an impressive 103 years.
On the anniversary of her birth (she would have been 111 this year!), we at PJ KABOS cherish the memory of her and James' grandfather, who planted the trees that, more than half a century later would become the foundation of PJ Kabos. None was happier than Maria when James took over the guardianship of her cherished trees and created PJ Kabos, as a way to offer the EVOO she loved and trusted to people far and wide.
You may wonder if the High-Phenolic EVOO she savored daily played a role in her remarkable longevity. Without a doubt, she could have been the very embodiment of the Mediterranean diet — a living testament to its health benefits. She herself attributed her robust health to her deep faith and her diet, the basis of it being her very own, Extra Virgin Olive Oil — the only oil she trusted.
Happy Birthday, dear lady. We miss you!
Contents
PJ Kabos Guide to Olive Oil
Where ancient olive-growing wisdom meets modern science, your guide to choosing, tasting, and enjoying exceptional high-phenolic extra virgin olive oil. We hope it inspires you in your olive-oil journey.
How olive oil quality is defined — and why the difference matters for taste, health, and daily use.
Why extra virgin and high-phenolic olive oils shine in real-life cooking, from sautéing to roasting.
Your simple daily ritual for harnessing the powerful antioxidants in high-phenolic olive oil.
How phenolic compounds support heart, brain, metabolic, joint, and whole-body vitality across the years.
How cholesterol works — and how extra virgin olive oil supports balance and heart health.
A simple guide to the phenolic compounds in olive oil — what phenols and polyphenols are and why they contribute to olive oil’s flavor, stability, and potential health benefits.
VII. What Is a Daily Phenolic Shot of Olive Oil and What Is the EU “Health Claim” Concerning It? | PJ Kabos Guide
How phenolic content varies from oil to oil and from harvest to harvest — and how to choose an olive oil that meets the EU Health Claim.
A clear look at whether extra virgin olive oil contains heavy metals, microbes, or allergens — and how its natural composition, along with laboratory testing, helps us understand what is — and is not — present.
A clear introduction to tasting notes and flavor in extra virgin olive oil — exploring how these natural characteristics arise from the olive, and how bitterness and pungency shape the oil's character and overall tasting experience.
A thoughtful exploration of aroma and appearance in extra virgin olive oil — how scent prepares the palate, how visual cues can mislead, and how these first impressions shape the tasting experience.
Learn how to choose a good olive oil with simple, practical guidance on freshness, origin, packaging, and what truly matters in quality. A simple checklist is included.
Subscribe and stay tuned — more chapters coming soon.
Please enjoy having a look around our websites and PJ Kabos Amazon Store for more about our many high-phenolic olive oils, recipes, history, etc.
And follow along with us on Instagram for photos concerning olive oil production, our groves in Greece, articles about olive oil, family history and more.
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