500ml Signature Bottle [Pre-Sale]
- vITALY | 21-Day Program [Pre-Sale]
- Your Adopted Tree
Essence of Cortona 500ml Signature Bottle [Pre-Sale]
Premium Tuscan extra virgin olive oil
Hand-harvested and cold extracted
Specifications
- Polyphenols: minimum 450 mg/kg
- Maximum acidity: 0.25% oleic acidity
- Volume: 500ml
- Limited release: 500 bottles
A premium finishing oil designed for special occasions and for those who value exceptional flavor, purity, and freshness.
- Tasting Note: This extra virgin olive oil offers fresh green aromas of cut grass, olive leaf, and green almond. On the palate it is vibrant and well-balanced, with notes of various green olives. A pleasant bitterness and a lively peppery finish emerge in the throat, a hallmark of high-quality oils from Tuscany. Elegant and expressive, it pairs beautifully with toasted bread, seasonal salads, grilled vegetables, grilled meat and simple Mediterranean dishes.
- Harvest date: October, 2026
- Origin: Single estate, Cortona, Tuscany, Italy
- Varietals: Features 3 varieties of traditional Tuscan olive trees, cultivated for their superior oil quality and flavor profiles:
- Frantoio: strong, fruity and significant after taste
- Moraiolo: peppery taste with a little bitterness
- Leccino: mild-flavored
vITALY | 21-Day Program [Pre-Sale]
A curated wellness protocol designed around high-polyphenol extra virgin olive oil. Features single estate, cold-pressed olio nuovo (early harvest) delivering a premium healthy profile to support the longevity of the cells throughout your body.
Includes 21 daily portions of 10ml (slightly more than a tablespoon) intended to be consumed first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. And followed by a glass of body temperature warm water (36.5C/97.7F).
Designed for those seeking to integrate premium olive oil into a daily ritual of vitality and well-being. Recent studies established that by doing this protocol, digestive systems conditions significantly improved and changed the quality of life of those diagnosed with diseases such as gastric ulcer, heart burn, and constipation.

Specifications
- Polyphenols: 450+ mg/kg
- Maximum acidity: 0.25% oleic acidity
- Volume: 21 glass vials of 10ml each
- Limited release: 500 programs
Acidity
An acidity level of 0.25% (or 0.25 grams of free oleic acid per 100 grams) signifies an exceptionally high-quality extra virgin olive oil. This low acidity is ideal for health because it reflects meticulously harvested, undamaged olives and rapid cold-pressing.
A 0.25% oleic acidity level yields several direct health benefits:
- Superior Antioxidant Retention: Olive oils with such low acidity retain a massive amount of polyphenols and vitamins. These compounds actively fight free radicals and reduce chronic, low-grade inflammation.
- Heart Health Optimization: Oleic acid helps maintain a healthy balance of blood lipids by lowering “bad” LDL cholesterol and boosting “good” HDL cholesterol. This cardiovascular support is a core pillar of the Mediterranean Diet.
- Metabolic Support: Consuming high-quality fats rich in oleic acid aids in blood sugar regulation and improves how cells take in glucose, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Because “extra virgin” is officially defined as having an acidity of 0.8% or less, an oil boasting 0.25% is considered premium.
Total Polyphenols
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) with a total polyphenol count of grater or equal 450mg/kg is considered “therapeutic grade” because it crosses the minimum threshold for clinical health benefits.
At this concentration, the oil delivers potent doses of specific bio-phenols, primarily oleocanthal, oleuropein, and hydroxytyrosol. These compounds provide scientifically documented advantages:
- Natural Anti-Inflammatory: Oleocanthal inhibits COX-1 and COX-2 inflammatory enzymes in a manner directly comparable to ibuprofen, but without the gastrointestinal side effects.
- Cardiovascular Support: These polyphenols prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, improve arterial endothelial function, and help reduce blood pressure.
- Neuroprotection: High-phenolic oils are increasingly studied for their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and reduce the oxidative stress linked to cognitive decline.
The Industry Thresholds
- Standard EVOO: Usually contains 50 to 200mg/kg polyphenols. Our oil was tested by an independent lab at over 450mg/kg.
- Minimum Health Claim: The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) requires a minimum of 250mg/kg for an authorized health claim regarding the protection of blood lipids from oxidative stress.
How to Ensure Therapeutic Value
Polyphenol count alone isn’t the only marker of quality. To guarantee the oil’s therapeutic efficacy, it should also meet these criteria:
- Third-Party Lab Testing: Authentic therapeutic-grade oils (like those tested at the World Olive Center for Health) provide a certificate of analysis (CoA).
- Recent Harvest Date: Polyphenol levels naturally degrade over time and with exposure to oxygen. Always check for a recent “crush date” rather than a “best by” date.
- Sensory Profile: High polyphenol oils shouldn’t taste smooth and bland. They should have a bitter finish and a distinctive “peppery tickle” in the throat, which is the direct sensory indication of oleocanthal.
- Cultivar Selection: Varieties like Moriello, Frantoio and Leccino are known to produce naturally higher polyphenol profiles.
- Consumption: To gain these benefits, experts generally recommend a daily raw consumption of 1 tablespoon (approx. 10ml) on an empty stomach.
Why 21-Days?
A 21-day protocol is the recognized period during which our brain creates a new neuronal network and every new habit that is reflected in our overall health needs 21continuous days followed by a pause of 10 days. In this way, the body can preserve the immediate response to the benefits of the EVOO.
Library
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil Phenolic Compounds: Mechanistic Insights from In Vivo Studies https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11430205/
- Olive oil health benefits and why you should add it to your diet: https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/good-food/olive-oils-health-benefits-and-why-you-should-add-it-to-your-diet/2024/04
- Research Shows Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Benefits More Than Just Your Heart https://www.verywellhealth.com/extra-virgin-olive-oil-brain-health-benefits-11927097
- What Happens to Your Blood Pressure When You Take a Spoonful of Olive Oil Every Day
https://www.verywellhealth.com/does-olive-oil-lower-your-blood-pressure-11945066
Harvest details
- Harvest date: October, 2026 (Olio Nuovo Early Harvest)
- Origin: Single estate, Cortona, Tuscany, Italy
- Varietals: Features 3 varieties of traditional Tuscan olive trees, cultivated for their superior oil quality and flavor profiles:
- Frantoio: strong, fruity and significant after taste
- Moraiolo: peppery taste with a little bitterness
- Leccino: mild-flavored
The glass vials in the 21-Day Program are reusable (and recyclable).
Your Adopted Tree
Adopt an Olive Tree and Restore a Tuscan Heritage
In the hills of Cortona, Tuscany stands an olive orchard of several hundred trees, many planted hundreds of years ago and deeply rooted in the history of this land.
These trees deserve care, dignity, and a future.
The owners we just purchased the grove from in March 2026 are elderly and ill and were no longer able to care for the trees. Without intervention, the orchard would likely have been abandoned, a fate that often leads to irreversible damage or removal of secular trees. This has happened to other orchards in the same area. Now under our ownership, we have made significant investments to restore the grove to its original splendor.
With bases in Tuscany and in Seattle, we have years of experience in caring for Tuscan olive orchards and producing premium extra virgin olive oil.
Our mission
Based on recent collaborations to create a cooperative and an Adopt A Tree campaign we started on GoFundMe last Fall, we were able to purchase this grove in March 2026. Our mission now is to share the precious fruits of the Tuscan groves with others using organic, traditional, and regenerative practices. We began the initial restoration in March with a significant pruning and fertilization of all trees with the support of local laborers…but there is much more to do.
Olive trees are resilient, but they need time, skilled pruning, nourishment, and love. Our dream is to create a bridge between a genuine Tuscan experience and people from around the world.
Adopt a tree, and become a “Steward of the Grove”
By adopting an olive tree, you become the guardian of a living legacy and help preserve authentic Tuscan olive heritage.
Your one-year adoption includes and ensures:
- A personal plaque placed on your tree with your name or the name of a loved one
- Receiving an “Steward of the Grove” certificate with your name or the name of a loved one (e-mail required)
- ✂️ Professional pruning and restoration (every March/April)
- By adopting a tree and saving the entire orchard, you support employment of local workers, who rely on maintenance and harvesting income every year.
- Organic fertilization, mowing, and soil care
- Regular updates and photos from the orchard
Donations of $50 or more are welcome. Adoption is symbolic and supports orchard maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the orchard located?
The orchard is located in Cortona, Tuscany, Italy, in a traditional olive-growing area known for producing high-quality extra virgin olive oil from historic local varieties that we intend to maintain.
________________________________________
What does “adopting a tree” mean?
Adoption is symbolic and supportive, not a legal transfer of land ownership.
Your contribution helps protect, maintain and care for one olive tree as part of a long-term restoration project.
________________________________________
Can my adoption be a gift to someone?
Absolutely. Adoption is a great idea for a wedding, wedding anniversary, birth of a child or grandchild, graduation, bar mitzvah and other life celebrations.
A plaque and certificate will be issued with the name of the person of your choice as a “Steward of the Grove”. Email is required.
________________________________________
How will the funds be used?
Funds are used for:
- Professional pruning by local workers (supporting the local community)
- Organic fertilization and soil care
- Mowing and general maintenance
- Harvesting, cold pressing and bottling small quantities of olive oil
All activities follow traditional, organic practices.
________________________________________
Can I visit my tree?
Yes, Stewards of the Grove adopters are welcome to visit. Contact us for updates and GPS coordinates.
CTA: Gift Tuscan heritage. Great idea for a wedding, anniversary, birth of a child or grandchild, graduation, bar mitzvah and other life celebrations.








![photo_2026-05-24_17-54-18 500ml Signature Bottle [Pre-Sale]](https://essenceofcortona.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/photo_2026-05-24_17-54-18-150x150.jpg)
![photo_2026-05-24_18-01-45 Bundle: Two 500ml Signature Bottles [Pre-Sale] - Free shipping](https://essenceofcortona.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/photo_2026-05-24_18-01-45-150x150.jpg)
![photo_2026-05-24_18-05-31 vITALY | 21-Day Program [Pre-Sale]](https://essenceofcortona.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/photo_2026-05-24_18-05-31-150x150.jpg)
