The Origin of Olive Oil

Explore our map to see how olive oil made its way through history.

Olive Oil Origin
  1. With a rich history to match its flavour, olive oil can trace it’s origins all the way back to 5000 BC in Persia and Mesopotamia.
  2. In 1500 BC, the Cretans exported oil to other Mediterranean countries, especially Egypt.
  3. The Phoenicians encouraged the cultivation of olive trees in the Western Mediterranean countries thanks to maritime trade.
  4. The Greeks started cultivating olive trees in their colonies in southern Italy.
  5. The Romans boosted the production of olive oil and promoted its trade across the conquered countries of the Roman Empire.