Olive Oil – Part of the Greek Culture

Greeks are to olive oil that Texans are to oil

Greeks regard olive oil as valuable as gold, their fortune is centred around it as an important ingredient in Greek culture.

The olive tree has been grown in Greece for thousands of years and the oil is used by millions worldwide as a food as having medicinal, cosmetic, lighting and sacred uses.

History of Greek olive Oil

According to Greek mythology, the goddess Athena caused the olive tree to spring up so that she could win the favour of the inhabitants of Acropolis. Hence, the Acropolis is always depicted with an ancient olive tree growing on it.

The olive oil tree is not unique to Greece, both the Armenians and the Egyptians knew about it, however it was the ancient Greeks who were first responsible for large scale cultivation of olives. Somewhere between the seventh and third centuries BC ancient Greek philosophers, physicians and historians decided on its botanical classifications and referred to the curative properties of olive oil. This knowledge is being revived as modern day scientists research why the Mediterranean diet is so healthy.

The love of the Greek olive-grower for the olive tree is often passed on from generation to generation and from family to family and with every birth, an olive tree is planted which will grow and develop along with the child – when the child starts school at the age of seven, the olive tree is ready to produce it’s fruit.