The Olive Oil History

The Olive Oil history began when the Olive tree sprung for the first time in 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. The olive oil became synonyms of the Greek nutrition through centuries. The Mycenaean civilization (c.1600-1150 BC) followed the Minoan in mainland Greece. The olive oil production was very important in the economy of this society. 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.

The symbolic meaning of the olive tree as well as the exceptional value of the olive oil is visible in overall sectors of the ancient Greece's life. When the first Olympic Games took place in Olympia in 776 BC an olive-tree branch was the award to the winners symbolizing the armistice of any hostility and the peace.

This symbolic award was given to winners until the end of the ancient Olympic Games. However, not only an olive-tree branch was the award in games but the product itself. The winners of the athletic games delivered as an award olive oil putted in amphorae known as the "Panathenaic Amphorae".The amphorae itself, constituted the quality of the already certified product; this is the very first example of product certification in world history. The quantities of the delivered olive oil to the winners were huge.

During Byzantine times things did not change. The production of the olive oil in Greek territories was significant because of the vast size of the Empire. Large part of the total production was the work of the monks due to the big areas possessed by the monasteries. When Turks conquered Greece the production of olive oil was not affected. The product itself kept alive inter alias the traditional way of life of the Greek nation and was even used for religious purposes.

From this time until today, Greece became the world's most important exporter of qualitative olive oil. 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.

Article source: http://www.mediterraneandiet.gr/oliveoilhistory.html