En Elladi
Classic
Combi Packs
0-3%
Oliving
FAQs
- Aa
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Our products are primarily produced in our state-of-the-art facilities in Rethymnon, Crete.
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The difference between roasted/smoked and boiled deli meats lies on the different thermal processing they are subjected. BOILED deli meats are thermally processed with STEAM (wet thermal process). ROASTED deli meats (products from whole chunks of meat) are baked in an OVEN (dry thermal process). SMOKED deli meats are subjected to the same procedure as boiled deli meats at first (smoked, wet thermal process) or as roasted ones (baked-smoked) and then they go through a final stage, the ‘smoking’ stage. The ‘smoking’ stage gives the product special features such a unique taste and aroma.
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NO, provided the relevant regulations are strictly adhered to. We, here at Creta Farms, ensure that both smoking methods we use (wet method and natural method), are fully harmonized with all relevant national and international laws and regulations.
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Sometimes, we see products that come in slices or products that have been cut in some way to show signs of humidity (‘respiration’). This is expected and if the liquid that appears is clear then there is no problem regarding the quality of the product.
However, be careful:
If the liquid that appears in the package is not clear but kind of ‘slimy’, it is a sign that the product is altered by bacteria. This could happen if:
a) Your refrigerator is not set at the right low temperatures (0-4οC).
b) You do not follow the proper hygiene practices (clean refrigerator, clean hands, proper storage of the product so that it is not exposed, etc.).
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En Elladi is the name of Creta Farms’ innovative deli meat line of products. The En Elladi products are made from prime, lean meat, where, through an approved and patented process, a substantial part of the animal fat has been replaced by extra virgin olive oil.
This pioneering process ensures that the deli meats are top quality products without losing any of the mouth-watering flavor that only Creta Farm products have. With this innovative line of deli meats, Creta Farm acquitted deli meats from any ‘guilt’ and gave them a place in our daily meals.
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The aim of the En Elladi products is not to be ‘diet’ products but to be products with enhanced nutritional elements. In other words, this is a brand of products that promote a balanced diet!!!
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The En Elladi product line is divided into two major categories according to the type of meat used:
a) Products made with meat in emulsion or paste form (i.e. parizer, frankfurter sausages).
b) Products made with whole chunks of meat (i.e. Turkey, Ham, Bacon, etc.).
Emulsion or Paste products
/Production phases:
• Choice chunks of prime meat are carefully selected
• The visible fat is removed by hand (only intra-muscular fat remains)
•Meat is thinly sliced and then mixed with extra virgin olive oil to replace the removed animal fat. This way, part of the saturated fat included in fat tissue is replaced by the unsaturated fat, the so called ‘good fat’, contained in olive oil, thus increasing the nutritional value of the product.
Products from whole chunks of meat
/Production phases:
• Choice chunks of lean, prime meat are selected and the various ingredients of each recipe are added to them (salt, spices, etc.).
•Then the meat marinates in extra virgin olive oil. This way, the ‘good fat’ characteristics of olive oil enrich the meats, which become more tender and juicy and acquire a unique taste.
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• Regarding fatty acids. Animal fat has a high percentage of saturated fatty acids compared to olive oil, which has a high percentage of unsaturated fatty acids. It is widely known that unsaturated fatty acids (monounsaturated, polyunsaturated) play a major role in human nutrition. All foods that are sources of or rich in these nutritional elements help consumers make healthier choices, always within a healthy and balanced diet, which is a prerequisite for good health. The highest suggested consumption of saturated fat is ≤10% of our daily calorie intake. The average European consumes much more saturated fat than the suggested intake (about 15% of the calorie intake). Therefore, the effort for less saturated fat in our food intake must continue, paying special attention to the fatty acids percentage in food products.
• Regarding cholesterol levels. Animal fat contains 95mg of cholesterol per 100g of product while olive oil does not have any cholesterol.
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The olive oil we use is extra virgin olive oil from Crete. The nutritional characteristics of the olive oil we use always and fully correspond to the characteristics of extra virgin olive oil, as set by the relevant rules and regulations. Our olive oil supplier has a state-of-the-art olive oil production and packaging facility, duly certified for safety and quality with ISO 22000/2005, while it has won several awards (gold and silver awards from DLG).
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Does the process of olive oil in high temperatures make it ‘unhealthy”? What is the temperature of the olive oil used in the En Elladi products?
All oils are altered when they reach a specific temperature and all oils smoke when they reach a specific temperature. Olive oil starts altering at 230οC, and it starts smoking when it reaches 200οC. In our products there is no question of any alteration in our olive oil. Olive oil is added to our products without any previous chemical or thermal processing. The enriched product (meat – olive oil) is subjected to a thermal process at room temperatures that is less than 80οC (<80οC). This temperature is much lower than the temperature reached when frying, for example. The natural antioxidants of olive oil have been traced in the En Elladi products. The natural antioxidants of olive oil have also been traced in the ‘roasted’ products, that are subjected to higher temperatures (about 200οC), which correspond to the temperatures reached when cooking in a commercial domestic oven.
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Our products are divided into 2 categories – meat products and breaded meat products – which are made as follows: In breaded meat products (chicken nuggets, chicken schnitzels), the chicken fillets are marinated with extra virgin olive oil, cut in pieces and breaded with flour and bread crumbs. In meat products (meatballs, burgers, soutzoukakia with sauce) the minced meat is mixed with the other ingredients of the recipe and extra virgin olive oil and is then shaped in the desired form. In both categories, the products are then lightly sautéed in olive oil and afterwards they are steamed. Next, products are frozen and packaged. In our “En Elladi Soutzoukakia with Sauce” product, the sauce vegetables are added to the package. The presence of olive oil gives our products a rich flavor, beyond all expectations.
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Our products do not contain any preservatives. The long shelf life of our products is achieved thanks to the DEEP FREEZING of our products as soon as they are made, and that the deep freezing conditions are strictly maintained in all stages till they reach your supermarket basket.
“Deep Freeze” according to the Food and Drink Code, is the procedure during which the product reaches crystallization condition as fast as needed and it results in the product constantly maintaining a temperature of -18°C or less all around. In other words, the products are instantly frozen right after they are made, which prevents the development of bacteria and slows down the enzymic activity that causes alterations. This procedure makes the En Elladi products absolutely safe.
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There is no any actual loss of vitamins and minerals in deep frozen meat products because proteins, vitamins Α and D and minerals are not affected by deep freeze conditions.
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Our “Chicken Nuggets and Chicken Schnitzel products” are made from whole chicken fillets, which are marinated in olive oil, cut in the desired size pieces and then are breaded.
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No, you don’t need to defrost them. You can cook them frozen according to the cooking instructions on the package.
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What exactly is the innovation in the En Elladi Mesogiaki product and what are its advantages over the traditional product?
The mixing of two ingredients such as milk and oil that cannot be homogenized is a great achievement by Creta Farm, to start with. The innovation in Mesogiaki is that 50% of the animal fat is replaced by olive oil. As a result, Mesogiaki has a high content of unsaturated fats and it is a source of vitamin E. Furthermore, the presence of olive oil in Mesogiaki gives the final product a better profile regarding fat content and at the same time unparalleled flavor.
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When making En Elladi Mesogiaki, we use top quality sheep and goat milk (90% sheep - 10% goat) and after that we follow a cheese-making and maturing process that corresponds to the traditional cheese making process, and then we add an extra stage, the addition of olive oil.
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The freshness of milk harmonically mixed with the rich flavor of olive oil results in a tasteful product that adds value to our favorite traditional foods.
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En Elladi Mesogiaki is not a product addressed to a special consumer group. It is addressed to all consumers. Just like our deli meats, the En Elladi Mesogiaki product has more good fats without any compromise in taste. Therefore, who can say no to a product with better fat and at the same time a unique flavor?
