Olive History
The olive, botanically-known as Olea europaea, dates back to 17th century B.C where it first appeared in print in Egyptian records. Olives were mentioned numerous times in the Bible. The word comes from the Latin olivea which first appeared in English around 1200 a.d.Since the olive is native to the Mediterranean area, it is no surprise to learn the largest producers in the world are Italy and Spain, where olives are a diet mainstay.
Olive trees were introduced to California circa 1769 by the Spaniards, where they flourished. California now provides almost 200,000 tons of commercial olive crops per year.
In the late 19th century, Professor Frederic T. Bioletti of the University of California invented a method of canning olives (referred to as "green ripe") using an alkaline solution and brine. This process provided year-round availability of olives and a boost to the olive industry.
More About Olives, Olive Oil, and Olive Recipes
• Olive Selection, Storage, and Labels• Olive Varieties
• Olive Brining and Curing
• Types of Olive Oil
• Olive and Health
• Olive History
• Olive and Olive Oil Recipes
Olive Photo © 2008 Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, licensed to About.com, Inc.
Cookbooks
| • | Olives, Anchovies and Capers |
| • | The Passionate Olive: 101 Things to Do with Olive Oil |
| • | Olive Oil: Fresh Recipes from Leading Chefs |
| • | More Olive Cookbooks |
| • | More Cookbooks |
