Psyche Organic: Revolutionizing Olive Oil with Community and Sustainability

From NYC Art Publisher to Sustainable Olive Oil Entrepreneur

Theophilos, founder of Psyche Organic, transitioned from a 12-year career in independent art publishing in New York City to launching an organic olive oil company based in Copenhagen. Inspired by an encounter with a Greek olive farmer aligned with sustainable, chemical-free farming methods, he embraced a new life chapter focused on health, transparency, and community-building — all driven by a passion for authentic and sustainable food practices.

The Olive Oil Production Process

• Organic and Traditional Farming: Psyche Organic sources olives from Greek trees, some over 50 to 100 years old, including ancient varieties up to 1,000 years old. These trees thrive without heavy watering or chemicals.
• Harvest and Cold Pressing: Olives are hand-harvested during November using rakes, collected on tarps, and transported to mills where pits are removed before cold pressing extracts pure olive juice.
• Hands-on Involvement: Theophilos personally visits the farm each harvest season to oversee production and maintain close relationships with the farmers, ensuring quality and authenticity.

Building Community in Copenhagen and Beyond

Psyche Organic is more than just an olive oil brand; it promotes inclusivity, wellness, and education around food transparency. Copenhagen’s smaller market provides an opportunity to stand out with a unique product and mission. The brand also fosters community through:

• A flagship store/showroom serving as the brand’s hub.
• Temporary physical activations, like the Psyche Café residency near a Michelin-starred restaurant, which helped deepen community engagement.
• Expansion into other cities including New York and Los Angeles, partnering with local businesses like Scarr’s Pizza (NYC) and Homesick Studios (LA).

Innovation and Unique Brand Identity

Psyche Organic differentiates itself through:

• Eco-Friendly Packaging: They use a one-of-a-kind sustainable bag format uncommon in the olive oil industry.
• Cultural Positioning: The brand integrates fashion, art, and creative collaborations, bringing a fresh, culturally resonant identity to olive oil, traditionally seen as a commodity product.
• Transparent Supply Chain: Committed to combatting widespread corruption in the olive oil market by providing genuine, high-quality products with full traceability.

Vision for the Future

Theophilos aims to:

• Build a scalable, transparent model that challenges olive oil industry norms, echoing sustainability pioneers like Patagonia.
• Expand across Scandinavia, northern Europe, and Asia while maintaining deep community ties.
• Eventually retire to farm his own land and create an off-grid art residency—a blend of food, nature, and creativity.

Overcoming Personal Transitions

Shifting from New York’s energetic arts scene to sustainable farming in Europe required significant personal evolution, including an “ego death” as Theophilos let go of his former identity tied closely to NYC’s cultural fabric. Embracing this new path meant redefining success and community on his own terms.

In summary, Psyche Organic exemplifies how a sustainable, community-driven brand rooted in authentic practices can disrupt traditional food systems, create meaningful connections, and inspire a new generation focused on health and transparency.

Design Delight Studio curates high-impact, authoritative insights into sustainable and organic product trends, helping conscious consumers and innovative brands stay ahead in a fast-evolving green economy.