Welcome to Astarti’s web site!

Our company Astarti is based on the island of Kythera-Greece and has been involved in organic farming since 1992 when Harry Tzortzopoulos, on completion of his studies in agriculture, returned to his forefathers’ island to take over the family olive groves.  Since Astarti’s establishment in 2001, the company has been  involved in the production, packaging and trading of organic and traditional Kytherian products.

Astarti’s goals and philosophy are:

• The promotion of organic farming on the island of Kythera.
• The processing and development of local produce.
• The marketing of high quality products (of limited production) of the Kytherian land to consumers in Greece and overseas.
• The promotion of environmental awareness and active participation in the protection of the Kytherian land.
• The ensurance of ethics in every collaboration.

The Style & Symbol of Astarti

According to various historical sources, it appears that the worship of the goddess of love, Ishtar, had its origin in Ancient Phoenicia. Due to the strong commercial relations and the resulting political affiliations developing amongst the various Mediterranean cultures the worship of the Phoenicians’ Astarti (Ishtar) gradually moved to the Southern coast and certain islands of the South-East Mediterranean basin (Cyprus, Crete, Kythera, Mylos), each place adapting similar names and rituals.

Kythera worshipped the Goddess as Astarti-Aphrodite (Aphrodite meaning she who has arisen from the froth of the seas) but with the passing of time the name of Aphrodite was upheld and she was worshipped as Goddess of platonic love.

The symbol of the company Astarti is the symbol of the fruit of the olive tree in Linear B script.

The symbol and the style of Astarti are registered trademarks of the Tzortzopoulos family.

The family is expanding its interests to cover other organic products in an effort to revive traditional cultivation and local farming practices, as well as promotion of agritourism in the region.

On the following pages you will find information about:

• The Organic extra virgin olive oil – Astarti Exclusive (cold pressed), which has won international awards and recognition, produced from the Astarti Tzortzopoulos Estate, certified by the Greek body DIO (Certification & Inspection Organization of Organic Products).
• The Organic extra virgin olive oil – Astarti Exclusive Premium (cold pressed), an award winning product with unique handmade packaging, produced from the Astarti Tzortzopoulos Estate, certified by the Greek body DIO (Certification & Inspection Organization of Organic Products).
• The Organic extra virgin olive oil – Astarti Blend (cold pressed), a blend produced on the island of Kythera by small organic farmers and members of the Agricultural Co-operation of Potamos in conjunction with Astarti,  certified by the Greek body DIO (Certification & Inspection Organization of Organic Products).
• Astarti organic paximadi (rusk) made out of 100% barley flour and natural sea salt, certified by the Greek body DIO (Certification & Inspection Organization of Organic Products). A collaboration with Dietitian Mr. Evangelos Zoumpaneas.
• Astarti sea salt, an unrefined product handpicked from the rock pools of Kythera.
• Astarti olive soap, made from organic olive oil and organic natural ingredients, certified by the Italian body ICEA (Certification & Inspection Organization of Organic Products).
• News of Astarti, the company and its products and information on the island of Kythera.

Have a nice tour!