The olive tree is inevitably linked with Greek history, culture and life, as is olive oil, the product of its fruit. Greeks have always considered the olive tree and its fruit as a gift from the gods. Homer referred to olive oil as "liquid gold."

Since ancient times, olive oil has been a central feature of Greek life. The origins of the olive tree cultivation are lost in prehistory. Special urns and storage pits unearthed among the ruins of Knossos in Crete indicate that in 2000 B.C. the ancient people of the region utilized olive oil and olives pretty much the same way as their descendants do today. Greek mythology presents it as a sacred tree blessed by Athena, the ancient Greek goddess of wisdom.

Among Aristotle’s works, the “Antenaeon Politeia” also illustrates the importance of olive oil in ancient Greek life. For the ancient Greeks, the olive tree represented, among other things, power and peace: power because of its longevity and its ability to flourish on the most barren terrain and peace because of its solitary tranquility. For this reason, the winners of the ancient Olympic Games, who represented the same ideals of stren

From ancient Greek time until today a large number of incentives was given to individual producers, thus today’s Greece produces about 300,000 tons per year and despite its small size, possesses the third position among olive oil producers in the world using the most advanced methods and the most sophisticated technologies. But this position is fictitious taking in the account that over 70% of the total Greek production is Extra Virgin olive oil. Half of that is exported to other olive oil productive countries raising their official ratio.

It took olive oil 3,000 years to become the subject of scientific inquiry. In the meantime, the Mediterranean people have been enjoying its benefits and taste. Along with vegetables, legumes, fresh fruits, nuts and whole grain products, and modest quantities of dairy products, fish, and poultry, olive oil has contributed to a dietary combination that meets health criteria as defined by science today.

Those interested in healthy living have rediscovered olive oil. In recent decades the medical value of pure olive oil has once again come to the foreground. Modern medicine admires the scientific expertise of ancient medical practices. Today’s doctors a

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