History of Olive Oil

As scientists tell us, the exact place where the olive tree sprung for the first time is the greater Mediterranean Basin. The first cultivation of the olive tree worldwide took place in Greece, and more specific in Crete.

This happened about 3500 BC in the Early Minoan times. In this period the olive tree was in a wilder form in comparison to the tree we know today. After 2000 BC the cultivation of the olive tree in Crete was very intense and systematic playing the most important role on the island’s economy. From Crete started the first export of the olive oil not only in mainland Greece but in Northern Africa and Asia Minor as well.

Very soon the cultivation passed to mainland Greece and the olive tree and its blessed product, the olive oil became synonyms of the Greek nutrition through centuries.
The olive tree was a symbol in ancient Greece and the olive oil was used not only for its valuable nutritional quality but also for medical purposes.

Between the 7th and 3rd centuries BC ancient philosophers, physicians and historians undertook its botanical classifications and referred to the curative properties of olive oil. This knowledge is being “rediscovered” today as modern scientists research and find news why the Mediterranean diet is so healthy.

When Romans occupied Greece, the olive oil production continued and Romans were able to learn the secrets of cultivation. The production of the olive oil in Greek territories was significant because of the vast size of the Empire. The Empire itself included almost half of the olive oil productive areas in the known world and the product was exported throughout the world.
The love and high esteem of the Greek olive-grower for the olive tree is passed on from generation to generation and from family to family. With the birth of a child an olive tree is planted which will grow and develop along with the child. When the child starts school at the age of six, the olive tree is ready to produce its fruit. The blessed tree grows up with the family, only it will have a much longer life and will still be around to be tended by the next generation, and the one after that. Each year, it yields its annual crop of olives in return for the labor and love expended on it.

It is a precious gift Greek land has to offer to the world! The Greek olive oil is the basis of the Mediterranean Diet as it is considered to be the healthiest product of the Mother Nature. Greece produces more than 430,000 tons of olive oil annually, and more than 75% of that is Extra virgin olive oil, which is the best type of olive oil. The Greek olive oil is exported throughout the world.