Famous Olives

No matter which way we look at and how often we discuss it, the fact remains that the Greeks were the first to make olive oil. They didn’t find the tree first, nor did they use it first, but they made the oil first. Whether it was the Minoans in Crete or old King Nestor himself in Pylos is not really important anymore, especially not when it comes to food and eating today. What is important is that we are able to consider everything there is to offer, learn what we can from one another and give unbiased credit where it is due. Today we credit the Greeks and the undeniably important role they play in the production 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 Crete, Greece. 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.

Soon after, the cultivation of Olive Oil migrated to Spain and Italy. Today Spain, Greece, and Italy produce over 85% of the world’s total output of Olive Oil.

 The olive oil production was very important in the economy of the Mycenaean civilization (1600-1150 BC). The decipherment of the "Linear B" script brought to light valuable information about the production, the commerce and the export of the olive oil in Mycenaean. In the 6th century BC, Solon, the great Athenian legislator, drafted the first law for the protection of the olive tree excluding the uncontrolled felling. The olive tree was a symbol in ancient civilzations 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.