Olive oil is one of the oldest culinary oils. The olive tree is native to Asia Minor and was first thought to be cultivated in Syria about 6,000 years ago. It spread to the rest of the Mediterranean around 5,000 years ago and was being grown in Crete by 3,000 BC.Some say that the best olive oils come from the Mediterranean,  but whilst countries such as France, Greece, Italy,  and Spain all produce fine specimens.
Both scriptural and classical writings refer to both the oil and the tree as  as a symbols of goodness, purity, peace and happiness. According to legend,the first olive tree grew on Adam’s tomb and don’t forget an olive branch was brought to Noah by a dove on the ark signaling the end of the flood.
The acient Romans believed it to be a gift from the gods. They lit olive oil lamps before a baby was born.The lamps carried names and they named the baby after the one which burned the longest. To garantee a long and healthy life.
In addition to its  culinary use,  the oil was burnt in the sacred lamps of temples, while the victor in the Olympic games was crowned with its leaves and by the time they were established in Egypt, they were so highly prized that  the great Tutankhamen had olive branches placed in his tomb.
Today, we know that olive oil helps to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease due to its fatty acid composition. It is also contains antioxidant substances such as vitamins E, K and polyphenols which helps to delay aging and prevent carcinogenesis, liver disorders and inflammations. Olive oil has always been known to be rich to the taste and it is very well tolerated by the stomach and is believed to lower the incidence of gallstone formation as well as promoting bone mineralisation, and is therefore excellent for those who have bone calcification problems.
All in all, it is a superb ingredient as far as health benefits are concerned.

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