Lebanon’s Solar Olive Oil Wins Gold Again: A Testament to Legacy and the Land

At a time when our country has endured so much, Solar Olive Oil proudly announced winning the Gold Award at the NYIOOC World Olive Oil Competition, one of the most prestigious honors in the industry. This is the third recognition, following a Gold in 2022 and a Silver in 2023. But this year, it means just a little more.

For founder Karim Arsanios, this win is not just about olive oil. It’s about preservation. “Every award we’ve received has been deeply personal…In the wake of war, this is proof that our land still speaks, that our trees still bear fruit, that excellence can endure—even through hardship.”

Solar’s award-winning olive oil was described by NYIOOC judges as: “Delicate yet full of flavor, with hints of green apple and red fruits.”

About Solar Olive Oil

For over 150 years, Solar’s olive trees have been rooted in the alkaline soils of the village of Kour, Northern Lebanon. Passed down through generations, these lands have been nurtured with time-honored practices like terracing, companion planting, and regenerative farming, never chemicals, never shortcuts.

At 450 meters above sea level, cooled by sea winds in the summer and softened by the chill of winter, Solar’s trees grow deep, yielding olives that have defined this land for thousands of years. The “Souri” olive, once exported from Lebanon to the Mediterranean, continues to tell the story of Solar—one of endurance, character, and belonging.
Solar was founded on a common legacy, honoring our ancestors while looking toward the future. A future where farming is sustainable, where the land thrives, where agriculture is not extractive—but regenerative.

Congratulations to Solar on this win, and may it serve as a beacon for Lebanese farmers everywhere, proof that dedication, heritage, and sustainability can yield not just exceptional olive oil, but a brighter future for our land.

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