Olive oil is not just a key ingredient of your foods and kitchen, it is the most important part of Mediterranean food since years. Olives and olive oil is the essential element of Mediterranean people’s lives. They use it for cooking, skincare, health, and religious practices as well. Mediterranean has been using olives and olive oil from ancient times, but it has become famous all around the world now.
Olive oil has become the symbol of South-Europe now. This article will tell you about the history of olive oil in Mediterranean culture, Its significance, and its traditional and modern uses in the world.
The origin of olive oil:
Olives and olive oil has been used in South-Europe for 6000 years ago. Olive oil has been the most essential part of Mediterranean life since years, specially in the regions of Spain, Italy, and Greece etc. Scientist and researchers have proved that the trees for olives were cultivated in these areas many years ago.
Now, olive oil is naturally collected by pressing the olives under high pressure with the help of machines. But the first collection of olive oil was done with wooden pressing. As the years passed, the collection of olive oil became refined. Greek and Egypt were among the first countries of the world where collection of olive oil was done successfully with machines. Now olive oil has become essential for cooking, skincare and health.
Mediterranean olive oil culture:
Olives and olive oil trees are of prime importance for South-European. Many people consider these trees sacred, and many consider olive branches the symbol of peace and harmony. Olive oil trees and branches have the ability to bear harsh environment and climate, hence, they are considered as the symbol of tolerance and persistence in South-Europe. These trees are actually presenting South-Europeans who are steadfast and persistent.
In Greek, olive oil and olives are considered a divine gift from God, and they celebrate their festivals and rituals with olives and olive oil. Greeks use them in sacred activity and in daily life for cooking and other purposes. Romans have spread olives and olive oil all around the world, and they consider them as a symbol of wealth and success. They use olive oil in baths, sacred rituals, and as a source of light in lamps etc.
Cultural significance of olive oil:
Cultural significance of olive oil is not only limited to the food and religious activities in South-Europe, but it is now used for different purposes all around the world. In villages, farmers and older people are teaching their young generation about the olives growth and production because they want to pass on their knowledge to their children.
Olives and olive oils have also become a welcoming symbol in South-Europe because women place a bottle of olive oil and pieces of bread on the table when some guest comes to visit them. South-European consider it respectful when they share olives and olive oil with their guests and family. South-European use olive oil for making dishes like Greek salad, Italian pasta, and Spanish snacks etc.
Traditional Mediterranean olive oil use:
Mediterranean people have been using olives and olive oil for many years. They have been using it for cooking, skincare, medicines, and religious activities. Some traditional Mediterranean olive oil use that have been passed on from generations to generations are given below:
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Cooking:
Olive oil has been used for cooking by Mediterranean people since many years. They use olive oil for cooking, baking, deep-frying and stir-frying their food. They also use olive oil as a base for making sauce, dips, and soups because olive oil has a rich and unique taste that goes well with the taste of ingredients.
Italians use olive oil in Italian cuisine. They use olive oil for making pasta, pizza, and Italian rice etc. Greeks use olive oil for making meat layered eggplant and grilled meat on a stick. While Spanish people use olive oil for making Spanish rice dish and Spanish seafood.
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Skincare:
Mediterranean people have been using olive oil for skin care. Olive oil has anti-aging and moisturizing substances that help to keep your skin young and moist. Mediterranean people make skincare products like beauty creams and sunblocks by using olive oil. In Greek and Spain, people used olive oil for beauty, but now it is used in making soaps, lotions, and other skincare products etc.
Olive oil contain protecting substances, inflammation reducing substances, vitamins, and minerals that are not only good for your muscles but also for your skin. Women mostly apply olive oil after taking a bath to keep your skin moist in South-Europe. Due to its soothing effect, it can also be applied on bruises and burns.
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Religious and ritual use:
Mediterranean people have been using olive oil for religious and ritual use for many years because Mediterranean people think that olive oil can heal and bless the individual in their faith. Greeks used olive oil before going to the battles and Olympic Games because they considered olive oil a symbol of strength and success.
Jewish people used olive oil to light their eight-branched candleholder. These olives trees symbolize the spiritual connection of Mediterranean people to olives and olive oil.
- Medicinal use:
Mediterranean people have been using olives and olive oil for medicinal use because olive oil contain many protecting substances and nourishing substances that are helpful for our body. Greeks, Spanish, and Romans have been using olive oil for wounds and digestive system. Olive oil contain anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidants (protecting substances) that help to strengthen your body muscles.
Traditionally, Mediterranean people used olive oil for digestive system, arthritis, and skin issues. It is also used for surgical processes.
Heritage olive oil:
As the olive oil has become famous all around the world, its need is also increased in the world. People want the olive oil that is produced by a natural and traditional method that has been passed on from generations to generations among Mediterranean people. Heritage olive oil is the olive oil that is produced and collected by natural and traditional method, which older farmers have told to their children. Olive oil produced and collected by natural method is produced in batches so that its natural flavor and taste remains the same in this way.
Heritage olive oil is a symbol of pride for Mediterranean people because people grow and collect special olives that are owned by their country. They have been growing olives since many years and their olive oil is also of unique taste because of their special olives. Heritage olive oil production is the best way to maintain the cultural legacy of the specific region of the world.
Traditional olive oil production technique:
Traditional olive oil production technique has become more refined and clear with years. Mediterranean people have been growing and collecting their olives either with hands or with small mechanical tools. When olives are ripe and collected, they are pressed under high pressure with their seeds to collect oil from them. This pressing adds fibers in the oil as well, for an extra nutrition and flavor.
Many Mediterranean people use the same old technique and stone mills to press their olives so that their olive oil has the same taste, smell, and flavor. This oil is then filtered and stored in dark-colored bottles to protect it from air and sunlight. This natural method of olive oil production produces extra virgin olive oil which is used for cooking, skincare and other purposes.
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