OUR STORY
In 2011, our family welcomed Valerio, a young exchange student from Italy, into our home for a year. During his stay, Valerio didn’t just learn Turkish; he embraced our culture, became like family, and formed friendships that would last a lifetime. Witnessing his personal growth, we realized how powerful it is to immerse oneself in another culture. This experience was so inspiring that we encouraged our sons to venture abroad, sending them to high school in Meriden, New Hampshire.
At just 14 and 15, our boys faced a world unknown to them – new people, traditions, and a language they barely understood. But they were welcomed with open arms, finding community, making new friends, and sharing in the lives of those around them. Watching them flourish through their school years, our family grew to feel a deep gratitude for these friendships and the warmth of their American community. After graduating, our sons continued their education at Michigan State University, but soon realized they wanted a smaller, more intimate environment, leading them to transfer to a college in Minnesota. During our frequent visits throughout the years, we were always touched by the warmth and generosity of their friends, teachers, and their families. It was a true reflection of how open-hearted this community had been to our family.
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These experiences stirred something within us – a desire to give back and share a piece of the heritage we cherish so deeply. One of the most special parts of our culture is gathering around a table for a shared meal, and a good extra virgin olive oil is at the heart of every meal. When hosting dinners for our sons’ friends and teachers, we found ourselves searching for a good, authentic extra virgin olive oil, a centerpiece in Mediterranean cooking. To our surprise, not only were quality options limited, but Turkish olive oils were nowhere to be found. This hit close to home, especially since the origins of olive cultivation trace back to ancient Mesopotamia, part of Turkiye today. We felt a deep responsibility to change that. After many years of managing successful businesses in Turkiye, we poured our hearts into building Coccinella Mediterranean Heritage. Where we opened our doors in Minnesota in 2018. We wanted to bring a taste of our homeland to the community that had welcomed us so warmly. Our name, Coccinella, comes from the Latin word for the seven-spotted ladybug. This small creature, a symbol of good fortune and prosperity, helps maintain a balanced ecosystem by naturally keeping harmful pests in check. For us, it reflects the values we hold dear: caring for the world around us and honoring our roots.
Coccinella is home to two distinct brands that embody the heart of our Mediterranean heritage. The first is Oleavia, our extra virgin olive oil brand. "Oleavia" means "the path to olive groves" in Latin. At Oleavia, we're here to support you on Your Path To a Healthy Future. Our mission with Oleavia is to not only bring Turkish olive oil to the U.S., but to ensure that people experience the full health benefits that only a truly high-quality olive oil can offer. We care deeply about every step of the process, from harvesting to bottling, to preserve the rich antioxidants and flavor that make a difference in your health. You can learn more about what separates a good olive oil from bad, and what sets our olive oils apart in our blog, Discovering the Secrets of High-Quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Our textile brand, Aegean Breeze, is a love letter to Turkey’s rich tradition of weaving. Turkish cotton is known worldwide for its softness and absorbency, but sadly, not all “Made in Turkey” products are truly 100% Turkish cotton. At Aegean Breeze, we work with four artisan families who have been weaving for generations, producing authentic, ethically sourced textiles for your home, kitchen, bath, and beach. These are creations made with care, rooted in the values of our homeland.
With Coccinella, we’re not just offering products; we’re sharing our story, our family’s journey, and a piece of our beloved Mediterranean with you. Thank you for letting us bring our heritage to your home.
Kaplan Family