Portugal’s gourmet extra virgin olive oil brand Coração Do Vale has officially entered the Indian market with a special culinary showcase held on a Friday afternoon at Le Meridien. The event, titled The Portuguese Pour – Chef DK’s Tasting Series, brought together the heritage of Portugal’s olive-growing tradition and over five decades of culinary expertise by Chef Davinder Kumar.

The exclusive, invitation-only experience introduced Indian food enthusiasts to Coração Do Vale, an ultra-premium EVOO sourced from the sun-drenched olive groves of Baixo Alentejo, Portugal. The brand has been brought to India by Leads Brand Connect, aiming to showcase the richness of Portuguese olive oil culture to Indian kitchens.

The tasting menu, curated by Chef DK, highlighted the versatility of Coração Do Vale and how it can connect European fine dining techniques with familiar Indian flavours. The menu featured creative live demonstrations of four signature dishes designed specially for the occasion: Tomato & Raw Mango Carpaccio with Kalamata Dust, EVOO & Shaved Parmesan, Charred Sweet Potato Chaat, Bajra Crisp, Imli Jaggery & EVOO Reduction, Pan Seared Sole with Mint, Caper & EVOO Tapenade, and Rustic Carrot & Cinnamon Cake.

Guests were also welcomed with crostini, olive focaccia with EVOO, and roasted makhana. The meal began with Broccoli Almond Soup paired with EVOO Pesto Crostini, followed by a multi-course spread that included Pan Seared Fish with Mint Caper & EVOO Tapenade, Murg Tikka Lazeez, Paneer Khaas, Pasta Aglio e Olio, and Dum Subz Biryani. The experience ended on a sweet note with Tiramisu, Mango Flan, Phirni, and Ice Cream, along with a signature mocktail infused with olive oil, an innovative touch that stood out for many guests.

Speaking at the event, Richa Khandewal, Managing Director of Leads Brand Connect, said, “Today we celebrated the best in Indian culinary masterpiece and excellence of Portugal’s finest EVOO. What sets Coração Do Vale apart is not merely its provenance, but its personality. It was a perfect balance for Chef Davinder Kumar’s culinary excellence. We couldn’t have expected a better debut for Coração Do Vale in India than the kitchen of a legend like Chef DK. This tasting series is the beginning of a long and flavourful chapter in India's premium culinary story.”

Chef Davinder Kumar also shared his thoughts on the brand, saying, “What sets Coração Do Vale is not merely its provenance, but its personality. This comes from the seven native Portuguese olive varieties with each contributing a distinct note to the final pour. The results in a fine balance of fruity and grassy, creamy mid-palate and a clean, peppery finish, something refined enough to transform every dish it touches. Coração Do Vale never competes with the food, it completes it.”

Coração Do Vale is crafted using a blend of seven olive varieties: Arbequina, Arbosana, Cobrançosa, Picual, Cordovil, Verdeal, and Galega. This combination creates a balanced flavour profile with fruity and grassy notes, a creamy mid-palate, and a peppery finish. As an early-harvest, cold-extracted olive oil, it is rich in natural antioxidants and polyphenols, with low acidity, making it a premium gourmet choice.

Positioned as a luxury culinary essential, Coração Do Vale goes beyond being just an ingredient. It enhances everything from salads, pastas, soups, grilled meats, to artisanal breads. It can also be paired with herbs, citrus, garlic, and chili to create refined flavour combinations, making it versatile for both everyday cooking and fine dining.

With its elegant packaging and artisanal story, the brand is also being positioned as a premium gifting option, especially for festive and wedding occasions. It is available exclusively through its direct-to-consumer platform, Amazon India, and select premium gourmet stores across Delhi and NCR.