Around the World in 40 Fruits – Volume 26 – By Dr. Marli Botha – Article 26 of 40
By Dr. Marli Botha
Of all the olive producing countries Greece is renowned for the quality of their olives and along with olive oil it is the country’s national product. Due to the high quality of our olives and olive oil Greece also export vast amounts of olives and olive oil to other countries.
Let’s press deeper into this sacred fruit – where ancient flame, eternal trees, and cultural pride meet in every golden drop.
- The olive fruit is classed botanically as a drupe, similar to the cherry or peach.
- The olive has long been prized throughout the Mediterranean for its myriad uses and properties. Aside from its edible fruit, the extracted oil was used for lamp fuel, personal grooming, cosmetics, soap, lubrication, and medicine; its wood was sometimes used for construction..
- Olive oil was used to anoint kings and athletes in ancient Greece. It was burnt in the sacred lamps of temples and was the “eternal flame” of the original Olympic games, whose victors were crowned with its leaves.
- The olive tree is a powerful symbol in Greek culture, representing peace, wisdom, and prosperity. The olive branch, often associated with Athena, the goddess of Athens, is a prominent symbol of peace.
- Know you Olives: Kalamata olives, the large purple-hued and meaty. Throumpa Chiou, shriveled and intense. Prasines Elies Chalkidikis, also called ‘donkey lives,’ fresh and lively. Konservolia Stylidas, mild and pleasantly sweet.
