You’ve probably come across olive oil on a salad or drizzled over a fresh pizza. But did you know that this versatile product has many other uses?
Olive oil has been around for thousands of years and is one of the world’s most popular oils.
Are you curious to find out more? Keep reading to learn some fun facts about olive oil!
Olive oil is produced on six continents.
Mediterranean countries are the main homes of olive oil, but many other countries produce it, too.
Some olive oil is produced in New Zealand, South America, and Australia, where the climates are warm and dry.
Olive oil is even produced in the United States, thanks to the warm weather in California.
This U.S. state has the perfect conditions to grow delicious olives, like Mission olives, that are used to make olive oil.
However, the most popular producer of olive oil is Spain, followed by other Mediterranean countries, such as Greece and Italy.
Olive oil has been used for more than 6,000 years.
People discovered olive oil in the Middle East and started using it for medicines, skin treatment, and lighting their oil lamps.
The first written records of olive oil emerged in 400 B.C. when traders began keeping track of their goods in ancient Europe. Some records show that olive oil was being traded across borders in ships.
The olive oil trade has grown considerably over the years to become one of today’s most popular oils.
It takes 3-5 years for an olive tree to begin producing olives.
If you want to start making your own olive oil, you’ll need the right weather and a lot of patience! It will take a few years after planting an olive tree before you see any olives.
Olives grow throughout the summer and fall. Unlike many other plants that are ready in the summer, olives are usually ready for harvest from fall through to winter.
They are completely ripe when they begin to turn black and fall off the olive tree naturally.
Olive oil inspired a character in Popeye the Sailor.
Popeye’s girlfriend, Olive Oyl, became a popular character in the Popeye universe.
Olive was created by Elzie Crisler Segar in 1919 but didn’t become well-known until the 1930s when the Popeye the Sailor cartoons began.
In the long-running cartoon shorts, Olive Oyl was voiced by Mae Questel.
The character’s voice and mannerisms were based on American silent movie actress and comedienne ZaSu Pitts, who was famous for her big eyes and dramatic hand gestures.
There are more than 800 million olive trees!
There needs to be a lot of olive trees to keep up with the massive global demand for olive oil! Around the world, millions of olive groves support the mass production of this popular product.
Olive trees cannot be planted close to each other, however, so you need plenty of space to grow them.
You should leave around 20 feet (6 meters) of space in between the trees, as they will grow outwards and take up more space as they get bigger.
The name “Kalamata Olive” has protected status in the European Union.
If you’re an olive fan, you’ve probably tucked into a bowl of tasty Kalamata olives at some point in your life.
These dark purple and black olives are among the most well-known and are produced in the city of Kalamata, Greece.
They are so special that the European Union gave them “Protected Designation of Origin” status.
This means that olives can only be called Kalamata olives if they have come from this specific region of Greece.
Olive oil soap could help reduce acne and skin conditions.
People with sensitive skin or conditions like acne could see benefits from using olive oil. As well as being full of vitamins like A, D, K, and E, olive oil can also kill bacteria.
Since acne is caused by bacteria on your skin, using soaps and shampoos made from olive oil can help combat this.
It will also keep your skin moisturized and hydrated, preventing dryness that could lead to further skin problems.
Italy and the United States are the biggest importers of olive oil.
Olive oil from other countries is hugely popular in Italy and the United States. Italians import around 22% of global olive oil supplies in a year, while Americans import around 18.5%.
These sales convert to billions of dollars spent on olive oil, with Italy spending more than $2 billion and the United States over $1.8 billion.
Around the world, more than $10 billion is spent every year on olive oil imports!
Olive oil is used for massage therapy.
Olive oil might be thought of as a kitchen product, but it can also be used for a relaxing massage!
Like many oils, olive oil can help to soothe your skin after a long day. The ancient Greeks used this oil to help relax their muscles and prevent sports injuries!
Olive oil may help to promote healthy skin and make you look younger.
It can encourage your skin to stay more elastic and firm as you age, reducing the appearance of wrinkles or sagging skin.
Olive oil is mentioned in the Bible.
There are accounts in the Bible of olive oil being used to anoint kings, priests, and prophets.
Christians believe it represents the blessing of God since it was used in religious ceremonies and rituals.
In the Biblical story of the Good Samaritan, a kind-hearted person stops to help a wounded traveler.
He uses olive oil to soothe and heal his wounds before taking him to an inn where he is cared for.
There is an international prize for writing about olive oil.
Olive oil superfans can try their hand at winning the Ranieri Filo della Torre prize in Italy. This annual international prize was first awarded in 2017 and aims to promote extra virgin olive oil in literature.
It is named after the late Ranieri Filo della Torre, the general manager of a large Italian olive oil company.
The competition is open to anybody who wants to write about extra virgin olive oil. Writers can submit poems, short stories, and even scientific papers on the subject.
Makeup can be removed with olive oil.
If you ever need to remove your makeup and don’t have your usual products, check your kitchen for olive oil! This versatile oil can easily wipe your makeup off after a long day.
Olive oil can quickly remove even the toughest makeup products, such as thick mascara and eyeliner.
Just remember to fully cleanse your face afterward to avoid a build-up of oil that could clog your pores.
The International Olive Council is a group of governments that discuss olive oil.
Founded in 1959, the original members of the International Olive Council include Spain, Greece, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom. Until 2006, it was known as the International Olive Oil Council.
Today, more than 20 countries are members of the Council. They meet to discuss the challenges facing olive oil production and how to contribute to responsible trade.
They even run campaigns to encourage more people around the world to consume olive oil!
Extra virgin olive oil is the purest olive oil you can find.
The reason why some olive oils are called “virgin” or even “extra virgin” is because they are the least processed.
This means that they have kept as many of their natural vitamins and antioxidants as possible. Extra virgin olive oil is the highest and best quality grade of olive oil available.
As a result, these olive oils are purer and healthier than others. They also come with a higher price tag, so if you wonder why you’re paying a few extra dollars, check the label carefully!
Olive oil is 100% fat.
If you’re trying to diet, you might be put off by this olive oil fact. Fear not, though, as olive oil is full of healthy monounsaturated fats.
Studies have shown that people who ate diets high in monounsaturated fats had more success losing weight compared to people on other diets.
Just one tablespoon (0.5 oz) of olive oil has 120 calories, and this rich food goes a long way when drizzled over your salad or pasta.
You don’t need to eat much of it to enjoy its rich and nutritious benefits!
Did you ever think that olive oil was so popular? This oil has been around for thousands of years and has found its way to kitchens, massage tables, and makeup cabinets!
There are millions of people who eat it, write about it, and promote it around the world.
Next time you add some olive oil to your salad, you might remember some of these surprising facts.
