Kiari

"Not a Greek word, but an Italian one. Or, to be more precise, enetian. It derives from the adjective chiaro, which means pure, crystal clear".

Crystal clear, just like the colour of the pure olive oil when exctracted from the mill; like the sun and the generous soil of Messinia, which -along with the people of our land- are responsible for the unique, quality local products. The locals may not be aware of the exact origin of the word. They all understand though that it is yet another trace left behind by the Franks and those who once dominated in the region.

It is among those traces that are easily distinguished by an experienced traveler, even if he visits the area for the first time. However, they are not perceived as relics of the past, detached from the present. They are foreign elements which have been blending marvelously with the tradition and the Messinian way of life for centuries, leading to the establishment of a shared identity. It is the outcome of the constant dialogue between two different cultures who interacted and coexisted harmonically for thousand of years and formed a common “language”: the famous Mediterranean Diet.

The diet, according to the ancient Greeks, is the way of life.
And nutrition, as closely linked to our everyday life, is an intergal part of our cultural heritage. The dietary habits of Messinia are almost identical to its cultural ones, ensuring longevity, wellness and a variety of other benefits for those who are fortunate enough to follow them. This is why Koroni has been recognized and honoured by UNESCO as an "ambassador" of the Mediterranean diet, along with Italian, Spanish and Moroccan cities.