The origin of olive oil

According to most historians, the olive tree (the tree whose fruit is olives which is extracted oil) comes from ancient Mesopotamia, from where it spread to the rest of the Mediterranean countries. The Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans, Jews, Carthaginians, Arabs and other peoples, who were commissioned to spread the cultivation of olive and applications, primarily for trade and economies of producing countries.

Therefore, more than 5000 years ago and was used as a scented oil to the bathrooms to serve as a cosmetic beautification of the skin, as an ingredient for the manufacture of perfume, and of course, essential as a condiment in the most exquisite delicacies. Nor should we forget that the Romans, being lovers of oil, also used this ointment for abrillantar hair and moisturize the skin.

The scientific discoveries that have become the vanguard of dietetics, would have been deemed authentic heresies just a few decades ago, when he attached a purported ability to increase the harmful cholesterol in people.

Around the "Mare Nostrum" confluence of three continents and many cultures. There were born religions, philosophies, political theories and of course, a culinary tradition much appreciated today. The Mediterranean diet has set up over the centuries a very specific geographic area, where several villages have combined thoroughly, vegetables, legumes, fruits, cereals, meat (especially poultry) and fish.

In short, olive oil was an important ingredient in the food of the great civilizations of antiquity, because of their nutritional value and balanced composition.