Olive oil

Περιγραφή

Greece is 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 Greece, and more specific in Crete. This happened in about 3500 BC in the Early Minoan times. Now days the Greek olive oil is considered the core of the Mediterranean diet due to its superior quality and nutritional benefits.

Homer, the author of The Iliad and The Odyssey, referred to Greek olive oil as “liquid gold.” The olive tree was a symbol in ancient Greece and the olive oil was used not only for its valuable nutritional quality but also for medical purposes.

Greece is the 3rd olive oil producing country in the world. More than 140 million trees are cultivated in Greece, which produce about 360,000 tons of olive oil per annum. 82% of the olive oil is classified “virgin” Greece has the highest percentage worldwide (80%) of extra virgin olive oil production.

Hippocrates, the physician known as the father of Western medicine, called it “the great healer” and prescribed it for 60 medical conditions. Now days is proven that prevents cancer, heart diseases, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and arthritis.

Olive oil is at the core of the Mediterranean Diet. In fact, some food historians define the Mediterranean Diet as the “traditional eating patterns in areas around the Mediterranean Sea where olives are grown.” Although study after study finds that the Med Diet’s health benefits come from the interplay of many food groups, olive oil is always the major part of the picture.