Telios Evros Nuts

It is a great honor for us that our brand has been recognized with the Mediterranean Taste Awards, especially knowing that our products were evaluated by expert tasters who put great responsibility and dedication into providing the most honest, reliable, and transparent tasting results. This recognition strengthens our belief that our vision for producing high-quality, valuable products reflects our commitment to excellence and our ongoing effort for improvement.

Our participation in such an important institution, which places quality at the forefront, is a reward for the work we have put in and encourages us to continue on our path with even greater dedication and responsibility. This success gives us the motivation to stay true to our principles and values, offering products that stand out for their quality and value to the consumer, while strengthening our position in both the domestic and international markets.

Maria Kamparmousi – Telios Evros Nuts

Can you share a bit of your company’s background?

As Albert Einstein said, “In the midst of every crisis lies great opportunity.” so in 2015, at the peak of the economic crisis in Greece, driven by the belief that a problem cannot be solved simply by observing it but by planning and effort, we decided to turn to the cultivation of the land. Having inherited the land of our ancestors and having no professional connection with the primary sector until then, we thought that our first business venture should have the minimum possible risk. While planning a better future, the history of the family has been our compass and looking back on the crops of our ancestors; we concluded that walnuts and almonds were the appropriate choice, considering the degree of difficulty of the particular produce, the special characteristics of the soil and the climatic conditions of the region (in Feres of the Prefecture of Evros).

What are your goals for the future of your company? How do you plan to continue pushing boundaries in food and beverage industry while staying true to your roots?

Our goal is to provide products whose cultivation does not have very high requirements and which do not concern limited population groups but exist in every home/family and are used in many businesses in the food industry, too.

A high-quality nut, from the tree to the moment it reaches the consumer. The challenge in creating a product that – as a species is not rare but is cultivated in many countries is to have characteristics that will differentiate it and that this unique quality and value is easily perceived by the consumer, ideally in sight and especially by taste. In line with our principles and values, we established a cultivation and processing business that offers cost-effective products, steadily earning the trust of consumers in Greece and abroad.

Do you have any upcoming products or innovations that you are particularly excited about?

At the level of planning and objectives at the moment, both in terms of the production of new products – in combination with natural raw materials of the area for the creation of snacks – that is in the field of nut processing but also in terms of the way of harvesting and cleaning not for the replacement of workers but to facilitate them by creating new tools. Regarding the promotion of the specific product, we plan to publish recipe booklets in which the traditional practices of harvesting, processing, and storing will be described to bring out the particularity of Telios Evros Nuts to the greatest extent possible. The increase in production is a key condition for implementing these plans.

What makes your product different? Why should consumers choose your brand?

Our products are certified organic, 100% organic walnut kernels produced without pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Our walnut trees (Chandler variety) and almond trees (Vairo, Feragnes and Bueno varieties) are cultivated in natural ways so that the nut retains its natural flavour and reaches the hands of the consumer with the least possible processing. The manual way of harvesting and cleaning leaves the nut unaffected, and the quality of the soil, the climatic conditions, and the humidity of the area where our crops are located very close to two rivers contribute to high-quality products.

The final product that reaches the consumer reflects the unique beauty of the Thracian land, the homeland of the mythical Orpheus. With hard work and love for what we do, we offer products that, for us, are more than food. The nuts’ sweet, slightly buttery, and mild flavour encapsulates our tradition and our love for our place. The golden yellow colour of the walnuts refers to the Greek sun, and their moisture encloses the microclimate of the region. All these unique characteristics remain unchanged by cleaning and packaging the fruit only after the order has been made.

How much has technology helped you?

Consciously and for the reasons we mentioned above, we choose the least possible technological support in our business, relying mainly on human labour, a possibility given to us also due to the production quantities to date. Technology is an ally to the extent that it facilitates and leaves the final product intact.

Does your product(s) have sustainable and environmentally friendly characteristics?

Οur products have sustainable and environmentally friendly characteristics. As a result of our 100% organic cultivation, the entire process is environmentally friendly, from pruning to harvesting. We take great care to ensure that every step, including soil management and pest control, adheres to eco-friendly practices. The only aspect left to make fully biodegradable and environmentally friendly is the packaging, which we are working to improve. We are committed to reducing our environmental footprint and ensuring our products are sustainable.

To what degree has climate change affected your production and business development?

There is no part of the planet unaffected by climate change. However, as far as the specific cultivation is concerned, the unique characteristics of the area where our trees grow, and the temperature, the sun, the air, and the water remain allies in our effort. The quality of the nuts and these climatic conditions are mainly the elements that make us optimistic about the potential for our business’s development.

However, due to the decrease in rainfall in the last couple of years, we have to put in extra effort to water the trees, even in autumn, winter and spring.  This is something that affects our profit margin.

Telios Evros Nuts has received a Gold Award at the 2024 Mediterranean Taste Awards