Donika Olive Oil
Overview
Founded in December of 2023, by Bianti Danaj, a US citizen with deep roots in Albania, Donika Olive Oil is a testament to the rich heritage and traditions of Albanian olive cultivation. Inspired by the pristine, unpolluted landscapes of Albania and a desire to introduce authentic, high-quality olive oil to the U.S. market, Danaj partnered with local experts, including agronomist Mendim Baçaj, to produce an oil that honors time-honored methods and supports local farmers. The brand’s name pays homage to Andronika (Donika) Kastrioti, a 15th-century Albanian noblewoman whose marriage to national hero Skanderbeg symbolized unity and led to the tradition of planting olive trees for newlywed couples—a practice that has contributed to Albania’s abundance of olive groves today. By focusing on sustainability, fair-trade practices, and the celebration of Albanian culture, Donika Olive Oil delivers a product that is as meaningful as it is exceptional.
Donika Premium Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a distinguished culinary delight, meticulously crafted from 100% Kalinjot olives—an ancient and cherished variety indigenous to Albania. Harvested by hand from naturally occurring trees in the rolling hills of Skrofotina, Cerkovina, and Travllazer, these olives are cold-extracted within three hours of picking. This swift process preserves the oil’s vibrant golden-green hue, robust, earthy flavor, and exceptional health benefits. Certified organic by both the USDA and EU, Donika Olive Oil embodies purity and quality, offering a fresh and flavorful addition to any culinary creation. The 2025 Harvest contains an impressive 747 mg/kg of polyphenols, 0.14% acidity, and an incomparable freshness, as all product is bottled-to-order. Many consumers choose to take this as a “shot”, for medicinal purposes.
Features
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Donika Olive Oil stay fresh?
Our Set of 3 of Premium Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil is shipped to you in beautiful dark green glass bottles that safeguard the earthy flavor, and medicinal properties – making sure you receive it as fresh as the day it was produced. From the minute you place your order with Donika, your oil is immediately tapped from our underground food-grade and temperature controlled stainless steel containers at our production facility in Vlore, Albania. We personally ensure it never comes in contact with direct sunlight or oxygen. Expect to receive an alluring box containing your bottles that has been handcrafted with love from the Founder himself.
Why is Donika Olive Oil priced at $50/bottle? What is the difference?
Besides being absolutely delicious with an unbelievably high count of polyphenols, after the October/November harvest, you can have Donika at your house by December! Many brands package their EVOO and send it to the U.S. for sale by March. At Donika, we believe in serving you the absolute freshest EVOO possible, which is why we don’t bottle your EVOO until you hit “Order”! Harvesting early and cold-pressing are the best methods to preserve phenolic content, though they yield less oil. Lower quality olive oil extraction typically results in a 25% oil-to-olives ratio. In contrast, truly high-phenolic olive oils yield only 8-12%. We are also currently working on incorporating our pomace (remainder of olive not used), into recyclable means.
What does Donika represent?
How do you even name an Olive Oil brand? The name “Donika” made perfect sense for us. Andronika (Donika) Kastrioti was a noblewoman in the 1400’s from the south of Albania, from the village of Kanina within Vlore, that was home to the Kalinjot olive variety. When marrying Skanderbeg from the North, the two united the country, and created an unwritten rule that every newlywed couple would plant 10 new olive trees, which are the very trees that grace our groves today. Donika is the epitome of Albanian culture, where our goal is to honor and serve the hardworking Albanians who have been perfecting their craft for centuries. The taste and smell of Albanian heritage is poured into every bottle, to perfectly capture the essence of the Mediterranean.
Author
Grace Kelley