Olive tree and Olive Oil |
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The Olive tree and Olive Oil in Crete and GreeceThe Olive Tree (Olea Europea)
Nothing is more characteristic of Crete than the millions of olive trees that grow in valleys and mountainous areas. Cretans have been cultivating the olive tree and have been using olive oil since 3500 BC during the early Minoan period, as archaeological findings have proved. The olive tree (Olea Europea) is one of the few trees that can still produce fruits even in rocky and unproductive land. Olea’s main characteristic is its longevity and the preservation of its productivity.
At the Ancient Olympic Games, winners were presented with a simple olive tree branch which was cut with a gold-handled knife from a wild olive tree. The Greeks believed that the vitality of the sacred tree was transmitted to the recipient through the branch. The olive oil is still being used for medical purposes and religious purposes and it has been proved to be an essential ingredient of a healthy diet. As a monosaturated fatty acid, olive oil does not have the same cholesterol-raising effect of saturated fats. Olive oil is also a good source of antioxidants. Olive oil, unlike seed oils, remains stable in its chemical structure at relatively high temperatures because of its antioxidant and high oleic acid content. Grades (Types) of Olive OilThese grades or types of olive oil were developed by the International Olive Oil Council:
The influence of the Olive tree and Olive oil to the Greek and the World Culture:
- Solon's Olive protection Law during the Athenian democracy (600 B.C.), in the first written legislation of the world, prohibited the cutting down of olive trees - Olympic games winners in ancient Greece were crowned with olive branches - Greek Orthodox rituals such as christenings & blessings use olive oil - In Genesis, a dove released from the Ark by Noah, returned with an olive branch to show that the flood had receded. - Hercules was protected by wearing a wreath of olive leaves upon his head - For bravery in battle, Roman soldiers were rewarded with crowns of olive - Nobel prize winner Greek poet Odysseas Elytis wrote "Greece is a vine, an olive tree and a boat" - Thomas Jefferson wrote: "The olive tree is surely the richest gift of Heaven" - Aldous Huxley wrote: "…I like them all, but especially the olive. For what it symbolizes, first of all, peace with its leaves and joy with its golden oil." - Federico Garcia Lorca wrote: "Angels with long braids and hearts of olive oil." - Lawrence Durrell wrote in Prospero's Cell, "The entire Mediterranean seems to rise out of the sour, pungent taste of black olives between the teeth. A taste older than meat or wine, a taste as old as cold water. Only the sea itself seems as ancient a part of the region as the olive and its oil, that like no other products of nature, have shaped civilizations from remotest antiquity to the present." An easy recipe for a delicious Olive Spread 12 oz jar (350 gr) pitted green salad olives -- drained
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The
olive tree has been the symbol of wisdom and peace. The olive tree was
the sacred tree of goddess Athena and Athens, the capital of Greece, took
its name from the goddess. Zeus had decreed that the city should be given
to the god who offered the most useful gift to the people. Poseidon gave
them the horse. Athena struck the bare soil with her spear and caused
an olive tree to spring up. The people were so delighted with the olive
that Zeus gave the city to Athena and named it after her. Athena is often
shown with an olive branch, a symbol of peace and plenty.
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First olive press in the world was found on the island of Crete around
1600 B.C. 
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