Encounter Olives

Occupying a special place in the western psyche, the history of this ancient plant and its produce is tightly entwined with our own. From the dimmest mists of our collective memory the olive has symbolised peace, prosperity, goodwill and wisdom.

According to Ancient Greek legend, the first olive tree was planted atop the Acropolis by the goddess Athena, becoming central to the Athenian culture.

Its oil was used in cooking, beauty care, religious rites, medicine and lamps. In the first Olympics, athletes even competed for generous prizes of olive oil!

Today, the virtues of olive oil are lauded for helping to prevent heart disease – even the leaves are claimed to have healing properties.

Throughout time the fruit has played a central role in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern diets, now enthusiastically adopted here in Australia.

The olive is in our language: we speak of extending an olive branch as an invitation to reconciliation.

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