Everything you’ve always wanted to know about Italian Olive Oil

When you think of olive oil you probably think first of its culinary uses, especially in Italian cuisine. In fact olive oil also has significant medicinal value. While it has only been recently hat modern science has wholly accepted the benefits of holistic supplements and healing medications like olive oil, local Italians have been passed down this information for centuries.

Ancient Roots

No one quite knows where the first grove of olive trees came from; however, the oldest discovered tree was found in Italy and dates back to 40,000 B.C. Despite its historical roots, the cultivation of olive trees and the making of oil did not immigrate to Italy into Greece until the mid 7th century B.C. Once it did however, it quickly became one of the largest and most profitable commodity trade industry ever seen.

Early Cultivation

The early Etruscans, living in northwestern Italy near modern area of Tuscany, were the first to begin harvesting the olives and using the oil for fuel, medicines and even cosmetic products for the skin and hair. They were also the first to begin processing olive oil on a large commercial scale.

Historical Uses

There are a variety of uses for olive oil for medicinal purposes. A few of them include:

Eliminating dandruff
Hair strengthening properties
Teeth whitening
The treatment and prevention of acne.

Symbolism

The olive plant quickly became an integral and necessary part of a budding Italian culture and economy. Because of the importance played this export the olive plant began to hold a kind of reverence with the Italian people. The olive tree is still used today as a symbol of youth, strength, prosperity and love.

Modern Italy

There are over 30 varieties of olive trees in Italy alone. Italy produces more than four million tons of olives each year and dominates more than 67% of he overall world market for olive products.