On Olive Oil History and Facts. - Aceites Toledo SA

Olive Oil History and Facts
Olive Oil Constituents
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Olive oil is composed mainly of oleic acid and palmitic acid and other fatty acids, along with
traces of squalene (up to 0.7%) and sterols (about 0.2% phytosterol and tocosterols ). Olive oil
contains a group of related natural products with potent antioxidant properties which give extravirgin
unprocessed olive oil its bitter and pungent taste and which are esters of tyrosol and
hydroxytyrosol, including oleocanthal and oleuropein.
Spanish olive oil history
Legend has it that once upon a time a dispute arose between the god Neptune and the goddess
Minerva because of the power of Atica. Jupiter decided that he would give the power to whoever
presented him the most useful gift for humanity. The dispute was resolved in favour of the
goddess when she presented a branch asserting that it would become a strong tree, capable of
living for centuries and centuries, and that not only would its fruits be good to eat, but
furthermore, it would produce an extraordinary liquid that would serve to adorn the food of men,
to alleviate their injuries, to give force to their bodies and light to their night.
Homer called it "liquid gold." The olive tree, symbol of abundance, glory and peace, gave its leafy
branches to crown the victorious in friendly games and bloody war, and the oil of its fruit has
anointed the noblest of heads throughout history.
Such was the importance of the Olive in the ancient World that Olive tree branches were placed
in the tombs of the pharaohs of ancient Egypt, and as Andalucia was one of the most important
olive oil production areas in the Roman Empire, an olive tree branch became the symbol of
hispanic Rome.
Olive Oil was also used by the ancient Hebrews. Olive oil of the highest purity was poured daily
into seven cups of the golden candelabrum, called the Menorah, in the holy temple of Jerusalem.
Olive Oil was also used for the anointing the Kings of Israel and Judah. The word Christ ‘the
anointed one’ is a literal translation of ‘Mashiach’, the Messiah.
Olive cultivation began in the Middle East over 5,000 years ago and gradually spread westward
throughout the Mediterranean basin. In Biblical times, it was used as a sanctifying chrism for
kings, prophets and holy people from Samuel to Jesus. This practice continues to this day in
some churches when people are anointed with holy oil. For the Greeks, olives and olive oil are
not only important foods but also symbols of holiness, courage and life.
Spain, not Italy, provided the bulk of the olive oil to the Roman Empire. Archeologists in Rome
found a mountain composed of 40,000,000 earthenware vessels that bore the labels of to the
Spanish producers in Andalucía. To this day Spain produces almost as much olive oil as the rest
of the world combined. Today, two hundred sixty-two distinct varieties of olives are grown in
Spain.
As in classical times, Spain continues to be the world's leading producer of olive oil, with crops
ranging the 1.000.000 tons per year. Over 250,000,000 olive trees grow in Spain covering 7,720
square miles of groves that stretch as far as the eye can see. Some of them are over one
thousand years old!