The History of Olive Oil: From Ancient Origins to Rome

Welcome to a journey through time and flavour! Extra virgin olive oil, celebrated today for its remarkable properties and distinctive taste, has a history as rich as its texture. The story of olive oil's origins stretches back to the earliest human civilisations. This golden liquid has travelled a long road, leaving its mark on culture and gastronomy alike.

Where It All Began: Thousands of Years Ago

Picture the Mediterranean basin some 6,000 years ago. Here, among the hills and valleys of regions we now call Greece, Turkey and Syria, the first olive trees were being cultivated. Archaeologists have found evidence that as early as 4000 BC, these ancient civilisations were using the fruit of the olive not only as food, but also to extract a prized oil through rudimentary pressing. The earliest presses were simple yet effective — large stones used to crush the olives and release their oil.

The Egyptians and Liquid Gold

The Egyptians were among the first to recognise the value of olive oil. They used it not only in their cooking, but also in religious ceremonies, medicine and, of course, in the rituals of mummification. Olive oil was so precious it was considered a gift worthy of the pharaohs. Amphorae of olive oil have been found in Egyptian tombs, underscoring its importance in both life and death.

Greece: More Than a Food

Olive oil reached a new level of prestige in ancient Greece. The Greeks used it not only as food, but as an integral part of daily life. It was applied to the skin before and after exercise, as they believed it enhanced strength and flexibility. At the Olympic Games, athletes anointed themselves with olive oil, and winners received olive wreaths and amphorae filled with this prized liquid.

But olive oil in Greece was not reserved for athletes alone. It was used medicinally to treat wounds and skin conditions. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, described more than 60 therapeutic uses for olive oil, including:

• Dry Skin Care: He recommended olive oil to moisturise and soften dry skin.
• Improving Digestion: Ingesting olive oil to aid the digestive process and relieve constipation.
  
• Hair Care: He used olive oil to strengthen and improve the health of hair.
• Baby Skin Care: Hippocrates recommended olive oil to protect and care for the delicate skin of newborns.

Olive oil in Greece was also a symbol of wealth and status, offered to the gods in sacrifices and religious rituals.

A fascinating example of its use in Greece is the oil lamp, which lit homes and temples alike. These lamps, often crafted from ceramic or metal, were fuelled with olive oil and provided a steady, long-lasting light. This use of olive oil spread throughout the Mediterranean and was adopted by many other cultures.

Rome: Expansion and Refinement

In Rome, olive oil became an essential element of diet and daily life. The Romans refined cultivation and pressing techniques and began exporting olive oil across their vast empire. Roman villas often had their own olive groves and mills, and olive oil was a mark of wealth and status.

Olive oil in Rome was not confined to the kitchen, valued as it was for its extraordinary beneficial properties. Roman bathhouses offered olive oil massages, promoting its use in personal hygiene. It also served as fuel for lamps, providing light in homes and temples.

The Romans developed advanced irrigation and farming systems that significantly increased olive production. They introduced more efficient oil presses and storage methods that improved both the quality and shelf life of olive oil. The writings of Pliny the Elder detail its use and production, highlighting its importance in the Roman economy and culture.

Olive Oil in Hispania

Hispania — present-day Spain — played a crucial role in supplying Rome with olive oil. During the Roman era, the region of Baetica (corresponding to modern Andalusia) became one of the principal producers of olive oil. Olive groves spread across vast areas, and oil was produced in large mills, some of which can still be visited today, such as the mills of "El Villar" and "Los Tejares" in Almedinilla, both, fittingly, in Córdoba — offering a fascinating window into the past.

The olive oil produced in Hispania was so highly regarded that it was exported to every corner of the Roman Empire. Amphorae found in Rome and elsewhere across the empire bear inscriptions indicating their Hispanic origin, demonstrating the region's importance in olive oil production and trade. The amphorae used to transport the oil were recycled in Rome and incorporated into Monte Testaccio, an artificial hill made up of fragments of these vessels.

Production techniques in Hispania were advanced for their time. The Romans built oil presses in large facilities, many of them situated near rivers to ease transportation. The city of Baelo Claudia, near Tarifa, is another example of a Roman settlement where olive oil was a primary industry; its ruins include the remains of presses and storage tanks.

Conclusion

Extra virgin olive oil is not merely an ingredient — it is an integral part of our history and culture. From the earliest ancient civilisations to the height of the Roman Empire, it has been a symbol of health, wealth and wellbeing. When we savour a generous pour of olive oil, we are not only enjoying its exquisite flavour — we are connecting with thousands of years of tradition and craft.

So the next time you drizzle a little of this liquid gold over your salad or dip a piece of crusty bread into it, remember that you are taking part in a story that began millennia ago — and lives on in every single drop. Cheers and enjoy!