Japan Olive Oil Prize

The Japan Olive Oil Prize (JOOP) is a significant international competition that aims to promote high-quality olive oils in the growing Japanese market. It is organized by the Japan Olive Oil Taster Association (JOOTA). The judging process involves a panel of certified international tasters who conduct blind tastings, following strict EU regulations to ensure fairness. Oils are evaluated in various categories, including organic, monovarietal, and blended. The competition also has a separate “JOOP Design Award” to recognize outstanding packaging. Winning a JOOP award is highly valued by producers seeking to gain a foothold in Japan, which is one of the world’s largest importers of olive oil.