The EVOO Gardener is the name given to Herman Ermal Pobrati, founder of Little Olive Oil and a certified olive oil sommelier, whose life has always been shaped by land, seasons, and food. It reflects a way of thinking that brings together Albanian extra virgin olive oil, landscape design, and the everyday rituals around the table.
Herman is also a landscape designer and garden builder based in London, creating luxury outdoor spaces for modern living. His gardens are designed for outdoor cooking, sharing meals, and spending time together. In both worlds, the focus remains the same: quality, balance, and enjoyment in everyday life.
Albanian Roots and Family Olive Groves
Herman grew up in Albania in a family with five generations connected to olive groves. Olive trees were part of the landscape he knew best, and the rhythm of life followed the seasons and the harvest. Like many Albanian families, his family pick olives by hand and takes them to trusted local mills, returning with fresh extra virgin olive oil used throughout the year.
In Albania, extra virgin olive oil is not reserved for special occasions. It is used for all cooking and finishing, including roasting and baking. It always comes to the table for a final pour over warm food, salads, and bread. This is where Herman learned what extra virgin olive oil should taste like: fresh, vibrant, and alive in food. It also fostered a deeper belief that meals matter. The table is where the family gathers, conversations unfold, and simple ingredients become part of daily connection.
The latest Little Olive Oil harvest comes from Albania’s Berat region, near where Herman grew up and where his family still lives. Berat is renowned for its olive-growing heritage and its close-knit network of groves and local mills. Sourcing from this region grounds Little Olive Oil in a real place rather than a vague notion of Mediterranean origin. It allows Herman to speak honestly about where the oil comes from and to bring those flavours to UK tables with clarity and pride.
Landscape Design for Outdoor Living in London
After moving to the UK more than twenty years ago, Herman continued working with the land through Acacia Gardens, his landscape design and build company. Acacia Gardens creates outdoor spaces across London and Hertfordshire, from private gardens and terraces to outdoor living areas for cooking, eating, and entertaining.
These are not gardens designed solely for admiration. They are made for real life: long lunches, relaxed evenings, and meals that flow naturally between indoors and out. Herman’s approach is guided by longevity and balance, creating spaces that feel welcoming year after year.
Herman and his team regularly work on major RHS show gardens, including the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and the RHS Hampton Court. These projects demand precision, consistency, and calm attention to detail. Every finish, join, and level matters.
That way of working carries directly into Little Olive Oil. In landscaping, quality reveals itself over time. In extra virgin olive oil, it shows up in freshness, flavour, and how well an oil performs in everyday cooking.
Olive Oil Sommelier Expertise
Herman is a certified olive oil sommelier, and every extra virgin olive oil in the Little Olive Oil collection is assessed for freshness, balance, and flavour. The aim is to make choosing olive oil clear and intuitive, so people can use it with confidence and enjoyment.
Each extra virgin olive oil is presented with a clear taste profile, helping people understand how it works best in the kitchen, whether for dressings and drizzling, baking, or everyday cooking. When people know what they are tasting, they enjoy it more and reach for it more often.
What the EVOO Gardener Stands For
At its heart, The EVOO Gardener is about using extra virgin olive oil as it is in Albania: often, generously, and with pleasure. It is about choosing extra virgin olive oils with care and then enjoying them.
It is also about the life that unfolds around food. Weeknight dinners with family, friends gathered in the garden, or outdoor lunches that stretch into the evening. The quiet confidence of cooking something simple and knowing it will taste good because the ingredients are right.
You might not always remember Herman’s full name, but you’ll remember his nickname. The EVOO Gardener captures exactly what he does: tending to flavour, land, and everyday pleasure with care and intention.
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