The al Badawi olive tree in Bethlehem, which researchers peg to somewhere between 4,000 and 5,000 years old, is likely the oldest living olive tree in the world. Though the tree is exceedingly old, in this ancient region of the Middle East the practice of squeezing oil from olives is even older.
Olive Tree of Vouves (Ano Vouves, Greece)
Located on Crete, the largest island in Greece, this tree has been estimated by scientists to be 4,000 years old. When this tree was just a seedling, humans of the late Bronze Age were developing new tools like axes and plows to aid in the growth of agriculture.
Olives have also been found in Egyptian tombs from 2,000 years BC. The earliest surviving olive oil amphorae date to 3,500 BC, though the production of olive oil is assumed to have started before 4,000 BC. By 3,000 BC in Crete, the olive was widely cultivated and a highly prized commodity.
Many historians believe that olive oil first originated in the Mediterranean Basin or somewhere in The Middle East. Early historical records point to ancient olive oil use in Iran, Turkistan, Greece, Italy, and Egypt.
Olive oil is an important ingredient in Latino cooking today, but all of our olive oil continues to come from the Old World – Spain and other countries around the Mediterranean Ocean. The sea routes made it easy to bring olive oil to Spanish colonies in the New World.
Italy, Spain, and Greece are probably the three most well-known, though Croatia and Turkey have also produced some of the highest rated oils in recent years. In the United States, California churns out some great olive oils, though states like Texas, Arizona, and Georgia are also growing suppliers.
In addition to Turkey, Spain, Italy, and Greece are also among the countries known to produce the best extra virgin olive oil. Click to continue reading and see 5 Countries that Produce the Best Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Such oils have been part of human culture for millennia. Oils such as poppy seed, rapeseed, linseed, almond oil, sesame seed, safflower, and cottonseed were variously used since at least the Bronze Age in the Middle East. Oils extracted from plants have been used since ancient times and in many cultures.
The earliest known use of personal lubricant dates back to the ancient Greeks and Romans who anointed themselves with olive oil as a sexual aid. These cultures developed beyond their hunter-gatherer ancestors and had time to focus on things like agriculture, philosophy, and even sex.
The Egyptians used olive oil extensively including it in their diet, lighting, medicine and for rituals. The Cretans produced olive oil in the 3rd millennium BC and was a source of great wealth coming from trade. Vast underground storerooms have been excavated and jars and vessels for olive oil have been discovered.
Unlike wine, olive oil does NOT improve with age. As olive oil gets older, it gradually breaks down, the acidity level rises, and flavor weakens. Extra virgin olive oil keeps better because it starts with a low acidity level, but it should ideally be consumed within 18-24 months of harvest.
China and Japan produced the first oil as early as 3000 b.c., soy bean oil! Southern Europeans started to produce olive oil by 2000 b.c. The first efforts to mass production were made in China, Egypt, Greece and Rome. They would crush al kinds of vegetable matter with millstones, mortars or even their feet.
The Olive tree of Vouves in Crete, Greece is probably the oldest olive tree in the world and it still produces olives. It is confirmed to be at least 2000 years old based on tree ring analysis, but it's claimed to be between 3000–4000 years old!
Ancient olive trees are prized for their beauty and attractive, silvery green foliage. While ancient olive trees may still be producing substantial fruit after many, many years, they are now desired as status symbols and for the beauty of their twisting, gnarly trunks and branches.
With age estimates ranging from 2000-4000 years, this tree—located in the small Cretan town of Ano Vouves—is generally accepted as the world's oldest monumental olive tree.
If your olive oil smells borderline and you are not sure if it has gone bad yet or not, you can taste it. Rancid olive oil tastes bitter, sour and/or stale and lacks the peppery, sharp taste of fresh olive oil.
Why Olive Oil As A Substitute For Butter Makes Health Sense. Butter is mostly a saturated fat. Olive oil contains unsaturated fats (the healthy kind) which is why dipping some freshly made crusty bread into to a quality olive oil is not just one of life's simple taste pleasures.
Store it properly
Olive oil should not be stored next to the stove as this exposes the oil to consistent heat. It is also not recommended to store oil in the refrigerator because condensation within the bottle may lead to off flavors. Store your oil in a cool, dark cabinet or pantry.
While olives and olive oil may not originate in Greece, it still has a rich history there. The ancient Greeks used olive oil not only in their cooking, but in many other facets of their lives -their sports, health, in rituals, and as a status symbol. The olive tree and its fruit were considered sacred.
Chinese cooks normally use soybean oil, vegetable oil, or peanut oil, all of which have a high smoke point. Peanut oil usually has a pleasant nutty flavor and is suitable not only for stir-frying but also for deep-frying.
Gordon Ramsay is a Michelin-starred chef who is known for his love of food and his passion for using the best ingredients. olive oil is one of his favorite ingredients to use in his cooking. He has said that he uses extra virgin olive oil because it has a richer flavor than other types of olive oil.
In comparison, Greek EVOO tends to be less intrusive, working with the flavors of the other components of the food to create a holistic taste. Both EVOO are delicious and have similar health benefits, so it is up to your personal preference which is better.
Extra virgin olive oil is the purest form of olive oil and therefore the most nutrient-rich. Substituting 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil per day for saturated fats, such as animal and dairy fats, will improve your health inside and out.
True olive oil should smell fresh, like grass or something fruity. Avoid something that smells musty or rancid, or even odorless. In addition to smell, when you're tasting olive oils, you should recognize hints of grass, fruit, and almond.