ZOH, a Greek acronym for Farmers Group of Heraklion) is an 87-year-old cheese-making company with traditional cheese-making methods. ZOH is pronounced ZOE which means LIFE in Greek.
ZOE has been making cheese with the old Greek traditions for three generations with the primary product of PDO Graviera of Crete. In the past, Zoe’s products were sold mainly in the local market of Crete, on nearby islands, and in Athens.
The new generation of the family took over the factory and has brought in investors to upgrade the facilities with state-of-the-art equipment, thereby enabling the company to increase the production and product lines of the cheese factory.
The principal elements for this investment focus on the following:
-Cretan Land-Location
-Traditional Cretan Livestock Farming
-Modernization
The production unit is located in the center of the mountains of Crete about forty-five kilometers south of Heraklion in the area of ancient Gortyn, which was in antiquity the capital of Crete. Its unique location allows the collection of fresh milk from local producers, sheep’s milk and some goat's milk. The collection process is conducted with our own equipment. Our cheese factory applies the Internationally Recognized HACCP and ISO 22000 certification system for Food Safety. It constantly conducts daily microbiological and physicochemical checks to ensure an excellent product and hygienic production processes.
We collect daily fresh milk from more than 500 Cretan farmers with local sheep and goats (Process has been initiated to recognize Cretan sheep and milk as PDO) which graze at the foot of Mount Psiloritis and in pastures of the Asterousia mountains (areas included in the Natura 2000 network, with 1,642 indigenous and native species of flora and 22 endemic plant species) with rare natural wealth. This fact, combined with the microclimate of the island, determines the taste and quality of milk, and gives a special taste to our cheese and dairy products.
In our model Cretan milk processing unit, applying the knowledge, experience, and secrets of previous generations, we managed to marry tradition with modern technology, creating a series of excellent products with consistent quality and taste.
In the range of our traditional cheese factory today you will find Cretan sheep’s milk Graviera, Goat Graviera, and Graviera of Crete PDO, Aged and Smoked, but also Kefalotyri, Mizithra, Xinomizithra PDO, Anthotyro dry, and fresh, Xinochondros or "dakotyri" of Crete and finally our own patented milk product in brine (Cretan feta) and (Cretan Haloumi)
A direct consequence of the modernization that is taking place is the forthcoming production of low-calorie cheese, and new innovative cheeses in terms of texture and flavors. In addition, in the new space, the production of a series of fresh sheep and goat milk (whole milk and low caloric content), chocolate milk, goat milk kefir, as well as the production of butter, yogurt (sheep and goat) and cream and rice pudding desserts will begin immediately.
Our objective is to strengthen ZOE's position in existing and new emerging markets (domestic and international). To achieve this, coordinated efforts will be made for collaborations in our cheese and dairy products with retail businesses and wholesalers in Greece, Cyprus and worldwide. We have started by creating a new corporate identity and designing new labels for our products and a new website.
ZOE intends to participate in major industry exhibitions both in Greece and abroad and in Greek and international tasting competitions.to highlight and promote its traditional products.