The olive oil market

The European Union is the biggest olive oil producer and consumer in the world. Overall it occupies 80% in the olive oil world production and it consumes about the 70% on the total. The major producers are Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal. In these countries, the olive oil cultivation is very important, both economically and culturally and environmentally, giving that 2.5 million workers in the field of producers.

Uses and Production of olive oil

Olive oil is used in cooking to flavor and to preserve various foods. It has healthful properties due to the antioxidants presence. It is suitable for the frying thanks to its high smoke point and moreover it helps to fight cholesterol.

The Olive oil flavor varies according to the olives used variety, to the production place, to the maturation, to the way of the fruit collection, etc..

Types of olive oil

Quality olive oil indicators are: color, aroma, and flavor.

We can distinguish three oil types: olive oil,virgin olive oil, extra virgin olive oil.

Olive oil and health

According to some recent scientific studies, vegetables, legumes, fresh fruits, nuts, grain products and a small amount of dairy products, fish and poultry are the Mediterranean diet basis and together they create the health cocktail.

The olive oil in cooking

The olive oil main characteristics in kitchen are the ability in the food storing, the bringing out the true ingredients flavor and the capability to add a personal touch to the dish.

Delicate dishes such as fish, chicken or veal, require a delicate olive oil, extra virgin olive oil or as an alternative you can use scented oils as lemon oil or orange oil.

The olive tree and the symbolism

The blessed tree, the olive tree, grows with the family, the love that the Greek farmer gives to this tree is transmitted from generation to generation and from family to family. When a child was born an olive tree was planted. When the child was seven years old and he started the school, the olive tree was ready to bear fruits.

History of olive oil

Stories and information about the olive tree can be traced already in the fifth millennium BC, in Italy, in fact, have been found fossil leaves, stones and small stone mortars for grinding.

The third millennium BC instead goes up the discovery of a variety, Olea Oleaster, used in various fields, food, cosmetics, as fuel and as an ointment for the mummification of corpses.

The myth of the olive

The Olive tree legend was born in Greece. The myth originated after the goddess Athena victory over the god Poseidon. The challenge that involves the two deities shots for the conquer of the inhabitants of Athens adherence.