Olive Tree – Olive Oil

The holy olive tree has been the worldwide symbol of peace since ancient times. In Greek mythology the goddess Athena gave the olive tree as a present to the Athenians thereby gaining their trust, and they in turn named their city Athens in her honor.

The valleys of Zakynthos, the hills and the mountainsides are covered in a green veil of olive groves, all for the production of olive oil. Young olive trees as well as trees that are thousands of years old can be found all over the island. The old giants stand out not only because of their size but also because of the marks and twists that time has engraved on them over many years.

On the island there are approximately one hundred factories for the production of olive oil. Over the last few years an attempt is being made to return to organic production with natural fertilizers and without the use of pesticides.
As far back as ancient times olive oil has been the basic ingredient of Greek food, and has always played a major part in the Mediterranean diet. It is rich in vitamins and minerals and is said to help people to live a long and healthy life. It is known to aid the reduction of cholesterol, has been found to help prevent certain types of cancer and assist in the reduction of heart disease. Olive oil is also a valuable beauty product as it is rich in vitamins A and E and is a natural antioxidant.

Zakynthos produces the best quality olive oil due to the richness of the land and the idyllic climate. Also because the olives are harvested quickly before they are fully ripe and start to develop acidic properties.

Many myths would like us to believe that the first olive tree originated from Greece. What we do know for sure is that it has certainly been here for many thousands of years. A fossil of an olive tree leaf dating back 60,000 years was recently found on the island of Santorini.

The ancient Athenians gave major importance to the olive tree, so much so that special laws were made for the citizens with regard to the cultivation of the tree and the production of olive oil. If anybody was found guilty of cutting down a tree without specific permission of the council they were severely punished, in some cases the penalty was death. From the ‘agrillia’ or wild olive the ancient Greeks would make the wreaths that adorned the heads of victorious Olympic athletes.
The ancient Greek practitioner Ippocrates had over 60 different medicinal recipes based on olive oil that he used for the treatment of his patients.

As well as being the base of the ancients diet, olive oil was also used by women for its cosmetic properties and to soften the skin after bathing. Athletes would use it to help ease aching muscles. It was widely used in religious ceremonies and is still used today in the Orthodox Church during baptisms and Holy Communion.

Programme :

• Visit age-old olive groves
  
• Visit traditional and also to modern ecological factories to enable you to see how olive oil is produced
  
• A chance to sample the finest Zakynthian olive oil.

The olive harvest runs between the months of October and February