Levantine Goods – Bringing the Flavors of the Levant to the World

Levantine Goods is a brand inspired by the rich culinary heritage, traditions, and flavors of the Levant, with a particular focus on authentic Lebanese extra virgin olive oil. The brand was founded by Tony Haydar, a Lebanese-Canadian fitness coach whose passion for fitness, Mediterranean nutrition, and authentic flavors inspired him to share a taste of his Lebanese heritage with consumers across North America.

From a Protein Bar to a Passion for Olive Oil

The story of Levantine Goods began unexpectedly with a protein bar. While traveling throughout North America, Tony was searching for a post-workout snack when he walked into a store that had recently imported European olive oils. After tasting several varieties, he was reminded of the olive oil he had grown up enjoying in Arqa, Lebanon.

However, when Tony asked whether the store carried Middle Eastern olive oil, the staff had never tried it and did not carry any. That simple interaction sparked an idea: if someone who deeply appreciated olive oil could not easily find authentic Lebanese-style, stone-pressed olive oil in North America, there was likely an opportunity to introduce this traditional product to a much wider audience.

After having olive oil shipped from his hometown and receiving encouragement from the store owner, Tony realized that the product represented more than just food—it was a piece of his heritage and a tradition worth sharing.

Why “Levantine”?

The name “Levantine” refers to the Levant, the historic Eastern Mediterranean region that includes Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and surrounding areas. The region has a long-standing relationship with olive cultivation and olive oil production.

For generations, olives from Tony's village have been hand-picked and traditionally stone-pressed, with the resulting oil primarily enjoyed by local families. Levantine Goods aims to bring this heritage beyond Lebanon and introduce the distinctive flavors and traditions of the Levant to consumers around the world.

The brand's story also reflects the historical importance of olive oil throughout the Mediterranean. Ancient Phoenician traders helped spread olive products and Mediterranean culture across the region, and Levantine Goods seeks to continue that spirit of sharing Levantine traditions with a modern audience.

Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil

At the heart of Levantine Goods is its premium extra virgin olive oil, created around the authentic taste and traditions Tony remembers from Lebanon. The brand focuses on quality, heritage, and the distinctive character of traditionally produced olive oil.

Beyond its culinary appeal, olive oil is widely valued as part of the Mediterranean diet. It contains healthy fats and naturally occurring antioxidant compounds, making it a versatile ingredient for everyday cooking, dressings, dipping, and other culinary uses.

The brand also highlights traditional associations of olive oil with heart-conscious nutrition, antioxidant properties, skin care, and digestion, while presenting olive oil as an important part of Mediterranean culture rather than simply another pantry ingredient.

More Than Just Olive Oil

Levantine Goods is not simply an olive oil company. Its broader vision is to celebrate Levantine goods, flavors, and traditions and make them accessible to a modern audience. From nutrition-focused products to premium olive oil and other heritage-inspired goods, the brand connects the worlds of fitness, food, wellness, and cultural heritage.

This connection is particularly meaningful because Tony's background in fitness influenced the brand's beginnings. What started with the search for a protein bar after a workout ultimately led to the discovery of a much bigger opportunity: sharing authentic Mediterranean and Lebanese flavors with people who may never have experienced them before.

Launch and Growth

In February 2024, Tony Haydar and YG García, a Puerto Rican accountant with a passion for Lebanese culture, officially launched Levantine Goods on TikTok Shop.

Through livestreams, social media content, and viral videos, the brand quickly introduced its premium extra virgin olive oil to a growing online audience. According to the brand's story, Levantine Goods' extra virgin olive oil went on to become the best-selling olive oil on TikTok Shop, helping bring traditional Levantine olive oil to a new generation of consumers.

A Taste of Heritage

What makes Levantine Goods distinctive is the story behind its products. The brand combines Lebanese heritage, Mediterranean traditions, fitness, quality ingredients, and modern social commerce to create a bridge between an old-world culinary tradition and today's consumers.

For Levantine Goods, olive oil is more than a cooking ingredient. It represents family, culture, history, community, and a living tradition passed down through generations—now shared with customers far beyond the village where the story began.