Little Olive Oil’s heart lies in a story rooted in heritage and a profound love for the land. Founder Herman Pobrati, the creative force behind Acacia Gardens, draws on his Albanian roots, a deep respect for nature, and a commitment to quality to bring extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) to the UK. In this Q&A, Herman reflects on the journey behind the brand, his inspiration, and why he wants to share Albanian EVOO with UK consumers.
Herman Pobrati Answers Questions About Little Olive Oil
What inspired you to launch Little Olive Oil?
I’ve always had a deep connection to the land. My roots return to Albania, where my family has worked with olives for five generations. Albania has produced high-quality EVOO for centuries, but it remains one of the best-kept secrets in the food world. I wanted to introduce people in the UK to Albania’s exceptional EVOO and the rich traditions that come with it. Little Olive Oil is about honouring heritage while embracing sustainability and innovation.
What's Your Background?
I also run Acacia Gardens, a well-respected garden design and construction business in London and Hertfordshire. We’ve been honoured to build gardens at prestigious shows such as the Chelsea Flower Show and Hampton Court. My work as a landscaper has always been about respecting nature; the same passion goes into sourcing and producing high-quality EVOO.
Why Albania EVOO? Many people are familiar with Italian, Greek, or Spanish EVOO.
That’s precisely why now is the right time to bring it to the UK. Albania has been producing high-quality olive oil for centuries, but it has remained one of the best-kept secrets in the culinary world. With more people seeking new experiences, Albania is emerging as a top travel destination, and it’s the perfect moment to showcase what the country offers. Albanian olive oil has a unique terroir, particularly varieties like Kalinjot, which produce a peppery flavour with a high polyphenol content. Cooking in Albania is influenced by both Italian and Greek cuisines, and EVOO is a staple in every household. It’s time for food lovers to discover it.
What would you say to people who think Italian, Greek or Spanish EVOO is better?
Taste is personal. It depends on the type of oil you enjoy, how easily it can be purchased, and whether the price feels right. For good reason, Italian, Greek, and Spanish EVOO have long histories and loyal followings. However, Albania has been producing high-quality EVOO for centuries as well. It has just remained under the radar. When people try our EVOO, they often say the same thing: “Delicious and something different.” We have given out samples and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
Where are Little Olive Oil’s olives grown?
All our olives are grown in southern Albania, a region celebrated for its ancient olive groves, pristine landscapes, and rich agricultural traditions. With its ideal Mediterranean climate, centuries-old cultivation methods, and investments in the latest innovative mills, it is one of the best places in the world to grow flavourful, high-quality olives.
(For Harvest 2004 batches)
Kalinjot Pure: Kalinjot olives are grown naturally in the villages of Skrofotinë, Cerkovinë, and the Trevllazër hills that are perched above the Ionian Sea near the historic city of Vlorë. The salty sea breeze, stony soils, and traditional farming practices make this oil taste flavourful.
Koroneiki Superior:Made from 100% Koroneiki olives harvested from the highland groves of Varibop, the unique growing conditions of fresh air, cool evenings, and fertile soil contribute to producing a refined, well-balanced oil with a gentle, peppery kick.
Trio Select:Trio Select is a harmonious mix of Koroneiki, Frantoio, and Leccino olives, all grown in the hillside village of Varibop. Nestled among forests and ancient groves, the village’s cooler microclimate and mineral-rich terrain create the oil’s smooth texture and silky flavour with a gentle bitterness.
Where do you buy your olives from?
At Little Olive Oil, we source our olives from family-owned olive groves in Albania, similar to those tended by Herman’s relatives for generations.
These small groves, typically containing 200 to 500 trees, adhere to a long-standing tradition: during the harvest, families bring their olives to the local mill, take home the oil they need, and the mill sells the remainder. This is a community-rooted system built on trust, local knowledge, and care for the land.
We collaborate with what we consider to be some of the best mills in Albania, institutions that blend deep local experience with innovative technology to produce exceptional EVOO.
In each region, families generally cultivate the same olive varietal, and the mills are well-acquainted with the growers and their harvests. This close relationship enables the oil to reflect the character of a single varietal or a natural mix from neighbouring groves, capturing the flavour of the land, season after season.
By participating in this tradition, Little Olive Oil supports a way of life passed down through generations and brings that heritage, care, and quality to your table.
What makes Little Olive Oil unique compared to other EVOO brands?
Our distinctive features include our focus on Albanian EVOO, which is still relatively unknown and our contemporary, minimal design. Unlike the more traditional branding often seen in the Albanian olive oil industry, we’ve chosen a modern and refined aesthetic to encourage people to see Albanian EVOO differently. This approach makes our EVOO more appealing to the UK market and helps position it as a quality product for everyday use.
Why the name Little Olive Oil?
The name reflects that a little olive oil goes a long way in flavour and versatility. A drizzle can transform a dish, and quality EVOO is something to savour. It also speaks to our simplicity and purity: sourcing the best olives and producing oil carefully, without unnecessary additives. The name also indicates how something small, like an olive, can hold so much depth and richness.
Did you do any market research before launching your brand?
As a new brand preparing to launch in the UK, we wanted feedback from consumers on our label design for our Albanian EVOO collection. We shared seven potential label designs with our Facebook group, asked family and friends, and spoke to customers at our St Albans market stall. One design stood out as the clear favourite, and we couldn’t ignore the overwhelming response. We also saw genuine excitement for Albanian EVOO and the taste at the St Albans market, reinforcing our focus on bringing it to the UK. The debate over 100% recyclable aluminium vs glass bottles was more divided, so we are offering both and may settle on one later.
What products are you launching?
We’re launching with three EVOO options using olives grown in Albania, each offering a unique taste experience. Albania is home to the rare Kalinjot olive, grown exclusively in centuries-old groves and celebrated for its high polyphenol content. Albania's fertile soils and unique microclimate also provide ideal conditions for cultivating internationally renowned varietals like Koroneiki (originally Greek), Frantoio, and Leccino (originally Italian). These olives are all grown locally in Albania, creating what we think is an extraordinary EVOO taste.
Kalinjot Pure EVOO, £25 for 500ml (early harvest 2024):
Kalinjot Single Varietal Olives
Beautifully Balanced Flavour
Pleasant Bitterness and Pepperiness
Suitable for Every Dish
Koroneiki Superior EVOO, £22.50 for 500ml (harvest 2024):
Koroneiki Single Varietal Olives
Bright and Gentle Flavour
Grassy and Herbal with Gentle Peppery Kick
Lovely for Everyday Dishes
Trio Select EVOO, £20 for 500ml (harvest 2024):
Koroneiki, Frantoio and Leccino Olives
Mild and Smooth Flavour
Smooth and Silky with Gentle Bitterness
Ideal for Subtle Everyday Use
Will the flavour stay the same each year?
Because we only use freshly harvested olives, each year’s batch may vary slightly in flavour, similar to wine. That’s part of what makes EVOO exciting and authentic. Our EVOO will be freshly harvested yearly, cold-extracted, and carefully sourced for balance and quality. We believe food lovers will appreciate the nuance and seasonal variation.
Who is your target market?
Our target market is primarily 25–55-year-olds who value high-quality EVOO. They tend to be food lovers, home cooks, and health-conscious shoppers drawn to independent brands with a story. They appreciate stylish, eco-friendly packaging and the convenience of a subscription. What they’re looking for is a versatile, everyday EVOO that fits into a balanced, flavourful lifestyle.
What are your plans for Little Olive Oil?
We are starting with three core products to introduce people to the best of Albanian EVOO, but we have more on the way. We will explore smaller batches, limited edition EVOO, and various cultivars. Additionally, we plan to pursue relevant certification. However, we want to see how the UK market responds. So far, the feedback has been incredibly encouraging.
A Little Olive Oil Goes a Long Way
Little Olive Oil is more than just a new EVOO on the shelf; it celebrates Albanian terroir, tradition, and thoughtful modern design. With deep respect for the land and a desire to bring something honest and flavourful to the UK table, Herman invites food lovers to discover a new everyday essential. Whether drizzling it over a fresh salad or finishing a warm dish with a peppery touch, just a little goes a long way.
