The 5,000-Year Journey of Olive Oil: Until It Reaches Our Table

Olive oil is one of the oldest and most precious foods in human history. For thousands of years, it has been more than just a food; it has also symbolized health, beauty, peace, and sanctity. Today, a single drop of olive oil on our tables is in fact the result of a 5,000-year journey.


Olive Oil in Antiquity


According to archaeological findings, olive oil was first processed around 3000 BCE on the islands of Crete and in Anatolia. In those times, olive oil was used not only in food, but also as lamp oil for illumination, as a sacred substance in religious ceremonies, and even as body oil for warriors.


Traces of Olive Oil in Anatolia


The lands of Anatolia hold one of the deepest heritages of olive oil. During the Ottoman period, olive groves were among the state’s most strategic resources. Olive oil had an important place not only in cuisine but also in soap making, healing remedies, and religious rituals.


Olive Oil Today


Today, olive oil is an indispensable element of Mediterranean cuisine and a symbol of healthy living. Modern science has confirmed benefits known since antiquity: it supports heart health, strengthens the immune system, and promotes longevity.


The Meaning of a Single Drop


A single drop of olive oil carries both nature and humanity within it. Olive oil is the imprint of the past and the legacy of the future.

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