Years of Olive Oil

6,000 Years of Olive Oil

The History and Love of Olive Oil

6000 B.C. The olive tree is first cultivated in Syria and Southern Iran.

3000 B.C. Sailors and traders from the Middle East bring the tree and knowledge of its cultivation to Turkey, Cyprus, Greece and North Africa.

2000 B.C. Ancient Israelites set aside olive oil as a tithe to God, and it is used for lighting consecrate lamps in the temple and in preparing anointing oil.

1700 B.C. The olive tree enters Egypt with traders from the East. Tutankhamen wears a garland of olive branches as a mark of honor.

1500 B.C. Olive oil is a major commodity in the trade of Crete.

1000 B.C. For the Greeks, olives and olive oil are not only important foods but also symbols of holiness, courage and life.

400 B.C. The Greeks and Phoenicians are major exporters of olive oil to western Mediterranean countries, including Italy, France and Spain.

100 A.D. Romans are expert producers of cured olives and olive oil, developing several different types of oils for cooking.

325 A.D. Constantine the Great establishes the Byzantine Empire, and the religious, culinary and economic importance of olive oil flourishes.

1300 A.D. Olive oil is a food staples among the cultures throughout the Mediterranean world.

1500 A.D. Spanish explorers bring olive tree plants to the Americas.

1600 A.D. Olive trees are grown in Peru, the West Indies, Chile, Argentina, Mexico and the area later to be known as California.

1920 A.D. U.S. immigrants from Europe incorporate olive oil in American cooking.

2004 A.D. Olive oil is widely used throughout the world, where it is prized by diverse cultures for its versatility, health benefits and flavor.

Courtesy: International Olive Oil Council