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Vulci’s
amphora- 500 BC
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The Olive Tree - 6,000 years of civilization.
The culture of the olive developed in all the Mediterranean countries as an
integral part of life for the people living there.
The oleastro, the predecessor to the olive tree, existed over 1 million
years ago. There have been discoveries of pits and fossilized leaves from
olive trees that are 3,500 years old, but man started cultivating olives
about 7,000 years ago. He used them for everything: cooking, healing,
heating and lighting his nights, building tools, weapons, and machines, and
to look and smell nice.
Since olive trees can live up to 3,000 years, our ancestors believed they
were eternal and that is why olive oil is used in the rituals of all
Mediterranean religions: Jewish, Christian, and Muslim.
The history of olive oil is fascinating, as it has accompanied the life of
man and his traditions for the last 3,000 years.
“I can talk about olive oil for days and days, but I will not- I only
wish to share with you the little that I know to make sure you will become
more aware of its innumerable qualities and of its Italian and Mediterranean
traditions. Personally, I start my day with a tablespoonful of very good
olive oil!”
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