From world-class engineers to leading olive oil producers.
Energy and Power Plant Engineers Keith and Tanuja Sanders are the unlikely brainchild behind The Sathya Olive Company (Sathya).
Slightly hidden (note: not open to the public) off Forrest Highway at Parkfield, The Sathya Olive Company is located two kilometres from the Indian Ocean and 160 kilometres south of Perth.
Being lovers of nature, and in search of a better and more sustainable lifestyle, Keith and Tanuja purchased the 100-acre farm in 1999. Since then, they have focused on the production of award-winning Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) oil, infused olive oil products, olives and dukkha which exhibit a unique blend of Keith’s Western culture with Tanuja’s Indian and Asian heritage.
They believe that cooking good, healthy food is not only one of life’s greatest pleasures but a skill that everyone should enjoy.
The majority of Western Australian olive trees are grown on clay soils. Despite this, Keith and Tanuja recognised the potential of the Harvey Region’s coastal plains, understanding olive trees’ love of well-draining sandy limestone soils. As a result, Sathya’s olive trees experience less disease than the clay soils further south.
Simply The Best
The proof is also in the product quality. AgEnviro Labs Olive Oil Testing Service based in Wagga Wagga NSW (accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities, the International Olive Council, and the American Oil Chemists’ Society) has awarded Sathya oil with the highest level of polyphenols across Australia two years in a row.
Sathya is also the proud winner of the Gold Medal in 2019 Los Angeles International Extra Virgin Olive Oil competition and the Silver Medal in 2019 Olive Japan competition for their Nuja’s Infusion Peppercorn Olive Oil. This is supported by numerous awards at the Australian International Olive Awards.
The choice is extensive at Sathya, from EVOO to more than 12 infused olive oils (think chilli, lemongrass and ginger, or garam masala), plus a range of pickled olives and dukkah.
Sathya Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a blend of six different olive varieties with Leccino, Frantoio, Mission, Coratina and Pendolino contributing to its fruity flavours.
Pick up a selection from The Crooked Carrot to take home to enjoy with crusty bread and your favourite bottle of wine.
Be Different
Besides EVOO, Keith and Tanuja have approached the business with a focus on creating a unique selling point. Early in the business, Keith and Tanuja recognised it would be difficult to compete internationally on standard olive oil because of high input costs.
Products such as their Lemongrass and Ginger or Garam Marsala Infused Olive Oil, and South-Indian Style Pickled Olives create a difference for the consumer.
Sustainability at the Forefront
Sustainability starts with the name. “Sathya”, meaning “True” in Sanskrit, symbolises the clean and green environment of the 30 acre olive grove on Sai Estate. Twenty-two kilowatts of solar are used to run the entire property, including the pumps in the grove.
Sathya uses natural fertilisers, such as chicken manure, to provide nourishment to the olive trees.
As members of the Buy West, Eat Best campaign, Keith and Tanuja are also ardent supporters of all things local, believing the closer you are to the source of your food, the better it will taste.
Sathya is not open to the public. However, you can source their fabulous products from the must-stop produce driven café, The Crooked Carrot on Forrest Highway, Mylaup.
For more information on The Sathya Olive Company:
T: +61 407 496 009
E: info@sathyaoliveco.com
