The olive is one of the world’s oldest known cultivated fruits. It originated in Asia Minor, and spread throughout the Mediterranean region. Its history is almost as long as that of western civilization. The existence of the olive tree dates back to the 12th millennium B.C, as proved
by the discovery of olive leaf fossils in archaeological expeditions.
There are numerous references to the fruit in the Bible and in Greek mythology. The ancient Greeks revered the olive t ree as a sacred object, and it evolved to become a symbol of wisdom, abundance and peace. Over the centuries, the olive has been prized for its oil, which
is regarded as the most beneficial of all oils, providing immense health benefits. Olive oil, dubbed ‘liquid gold’ by the Greek poet Homer, was used by Greek physicians to heal wounds and to treat insomnia, nausea and various digestive ailments.
In modern times, olive cultivation has spread beyond the Mediterranean, to places as far away as Africa, Australia, Japan and China. Olive cultivation is done in about 40 countries worldwide. Spain, Italy and Greece are the world’s leading olive producers. In India, the fruits grown in the Himalayan region.
The olive tree is an evergreen that normally grows to a height of 20–25 feet. The leaves are
feather-shaped and are pale green above and silvery below. There are numerous small, creamy white, fragrant flowers. The fruit is round to oval in shape, with a single, elongated
seed. Some varieties are green in colour throughout, while others turn a shade of copper brown on ripening. The pulp is very bitter due to the presence of tannin. Hence, the fruit cannot be eaten directly off the tree but has to be processed first - usually by soaking or curing in oil, water, salt, or a lye solution.
The fruit has numerous uses. It is pickled in the unripe form, canned in the ripe form, and crushed for oil. Olives are used as a garnish for pizzas, a topping for cocktails, a sandwich spread, and a delicious addition to soups, stews and salads. Olive oil, used in cooking, is known to reduce blood pressure levels, help maintain an ideal body weight, reduce the levels of gallstone formation, and bring down the incidence of colon cancer. It is also used for various beauty purposes and promotes good hair growth and beautiful skin.
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