The History Of Olive Oil

Over 6,000 years, olives have grown in the Mediterranean. According to the International Olive Oil Council (IOOC), it appears to have spread from Syria towards the West by way of Anatolia. Other theories claim that it originated in the Mediterranean basin. While the origin of the olive tree is unknown; the homeland of the olive is the Mediterranean. The Aegean region, centered in the Mediterranean, has been the homeland of olives for thousands of years. Because of the suitable climate and the rich agricultural area, the quality of Aegean olive oil is exquisite and contributes to its distinctive flavor.

The Aegean region has a very suitable environment for cultivating olive trees. The combination of the climate and ecology gives a unique character to olives. The olive oil produced from this region demonstrates the attributes of ripeness, freshness, and greenness in a balanced harmony as well as the highest quality. For this reason, the leading producers in Spain and Italy import olive oil from Turkey each year.