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History of Olives
Olive trees, Olea europaea, are the oldest trees in fruit and are undoubtedly one of the more fruit trees of history. The culture of the olive tree has been closely connected with the rise and fall of Mediterranean empires and other advanced civilizations through time. Because olive trees offered wealth and future food supply as established civilizations, the agricultural nations became stable societies as a result of assured expectation of past experiences of an uninterruptible power supply and the supply of olive oil. This factor was a necessary condition for population growth and increase. reliable production of fruit and olive oil production means that the olive trees should be in a stable society and a relaxed atmosphere. That stability should extend for many years, most seedling olive trees required eight or more years before each turn produces the first harvest of the fruit. orchards of olive trees in production means that a base of the great empires of Greece and Rome had arisen and developed in the complex forces economic and political. It is interesting to note that the historical decline of these empires corresponded to the destruction of olive orchards that reduced supplies available from olives, olive oil, olive wood and olive soap. In connection with the destruction of olive groves, it is interesting that in the wars of Israel Palestine, 50,000 olive trees were destroyed by Israeli bulldozers. This act of agricultural destruction resulted in anger and considerable discomfort along the Gaza Gaza and the West Bank, due to the economic livelihood of many Palestinian farmers depend on their products of olive trees uprooted. In addition, the olive has been historically a "peace and goodwill 'symbol, and when the olive trees were destroyed near the town of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus and the "The cradle of biblical history," it seemed that the removal of the trees as a deliberate provocation to end the "peace" with the settlers and Palestinian farmers.
The Greeks recognized that in his vast empire to avoid hostilities and war during the period of the Olympic Games are underway, and declared a ceasefire in the whole world to full attention could be directed towards sporting events and games.
Medical properties olive oil were reported by many ancient Greek philosophers and writers, their importance in creating wealth for nutritional and Greek citizens still in abundance today – some Greek olive tree orchards containing a million or more trees. Aristotle wrote extensively about methods accepted successful cultivation of olive trees.
Greek mythology records that Athena, the goddess of wisdom and peace, he hit his magical spear Earth, and became an olive tree, therefore, the place where the olive tree appeared and grew was named Athens in honor of the goddess Athena. Local legend says the original olive tree is still growing after many centuries in the ancient sacred site. Citizens continue to assert that all Greek olive trees originated from rooted cuttings, which were obtained from the original olive tree. Homer claimed in his writings that the old olive tree growing in Athens and 10,000 years old. Homer stated that Greek courts sentenced to death if they destroyed an olive tree. In 775 a. C. Olympia, Greece, in place of the old Olympic stadium, the athletes competed and trained, and the winners were triumphantly acclaimed and crowned with a wreath made of olive branches. Ancient coins were minted gold in Athens represents the face of the goddess Athena, wearing a crown of olive leaves on his helmet holding a clay pot of olive oil. The Greeks began olive cultivation in the year 700 BC. The sacred lamp that was used in ancient Greek culture to illuminate dark rooms at night was fueled by olive oil. aged olive oil also was used in sacred ritual anointing of the church at weddings and baptisms. Herodotus wrote in 500 BC, the cultivation and export of olives and olive oil were so sacred virgins and eunuchs were only allowed to cultivate olive groves. The first documented plantings of olive trees may have occurred during the Minoan civilization on the island of Crete and is thought to have been growing around 3500 BC. That the civilization before the fossil discovered Mycenae olive from 1600 BC and later in Greek Empire. Sturt Manning, an archaeologist at Cornell University, reported Live Science (April 28, 2005) the most devastating volcano 10,000 years occurred on the Greek island of Thera, after which he was buried city of Akrotiri in its entirety by the ashfall. The finding of olive wood and olive seed fossils buried near the site has proven through carbon dating that the volcanic eruption occurred between 1660 and 1600 a. C. and may have contributed to the destruction Total advanced Minoan civilization (Atlantis) on the island of Crete and may have led to the formation of the Sahara Desert in North Africa after vaporization native forests there.
In the Old Testament of the Hebrew Bible (Gen 8:11), Noah was given an olive branch and a dove after the great flood as a symbol of peace and love of God, which remains today. In the book of Exodus, Moses explains that God expects of olive oil that is used in different rites were carried out by the priests of Israel. Olive oil was used as an anointing oil is poured over the heads of kings and priests who recognize its authority as God's agent. Many other references to the olives are given in the Bible. Psalms 52:8 "But I'm like the olive tree in the house of God, I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever. "Finally, Jesus came to spend his last day praying on the Mount of Olives Garden of Gethsemane in Jerusalem before his crucifixion. Jesus was arrested, tried, convicted, crucified and then ascended into heaven after his resurrection from the grave.
Impressionists were surprised by the antiquity and beauty of olive trees and productive force which resulted in paintings of the masterpiece of Van Gogh, Cezanne, Renoir and Matisse. The world of reporters great Bible, literary writers and poets immortalized olives, people like Jesus, Milton, Shakespeare and Lord Byron.
Thomas Jefferson wrote "The olive tree is the richest gift of heaven." The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has reported "Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, who traveled abroad brought plant material, such as olive trees and rice to the U.S. United States to develop agricultural production. "Thomas Jefferson was the U.S. ambassador France during the War of Independence, and began importing olive trees and seeds in the southern U.S. Excess moisture in South Carolina and Georgia did not permit profitable olive orchards to develop properly in these areas. Jefferson wrote "The greatest service which can provide a country is to add a useful plant to its culture. "He placed his introduction of olives and dry rice in South Carolina as two of the top lifetime achievement. Thomas Jefferson wrote to James Ronaldson on 13 January, 1813, "is twenty-five years since I posted (southern planters), two shipments of about 500 olive trees of Aix, the best olive trees in the world. "
The olive fragrant flowers are small and creamy white, hidden in thick sheets. Some varieties self-pollinate, but others do not. The flowers usually start to appear in April and may continue for many months. A tree wild olive seedlings usually begins to flower and bear fruit the age of 8 years. The olive fruit is a purple-black when fully ripe, but few varieties are green when ripe and olives turn a copper-brown color. The olive fruit size is variable, even within the same tree, and the shape varies from round to oval pointed ends. Some olives can be eaten fresh after sun-drying and the taste is sweet, but most varieties of olives are bitter and must be treated by various chemical solutions before developing in table olives. If the olives are thinned on the limbs of the trees to 2 or 3 per branch, the final size of the olive will be much larger. The fruit is harvested mid-October and should be treated as soon as possible to prevent fermentation and decreased quality.
The leaves of olive trees are gray-green and replaced at intervals of 2-3 years during the spring after new growth appears. Severe annual pruning is very important to ensure continuous production. Trees unproductive branches are removed, as will be more fruitful "John 15:2. An olive tree can grow to 50 feet with a spread of 30 member feet, but most producers will keep the tree pruned to 20 feet to ensure maximum production. new shoots and trees emerge from the roots of olive stump, even if the trees are cut. Some olive trees are believed to be over a thousand years, and most live to the ripe old age of 500 years.
Olives are usually beaten with sticks of trees harvested mechanically or by shaking the fruit from the trees onto canvas. Most ripening olives are removed of trees after most of the fruit begins to change color. It is important to squeeze out the olive oil in a day after harvest or fermentation more or decrease in taste and quality will occur. Olive oil can be consumed or used in the kitchen immediately after removal from the press. Oils olive are unique and different, each brand of olive oil has its own character, as determined by many factors, including differences in taste only found in fine wine. Commercial preparations of olive oils can vary greatly in aroma, flavor of the fruit, if the taste is flowers, nuts, delicate, or mild, and color Olive oil is very variable.
Olive oil produces many health benefits when used in cooking or when poured over salads. The use of olive oil can improve digestion and can benefit heart metabolism through its low cholesterol content. Experts say that olive oil consumption will cause person to grow shiny hair, prevent dandruff, prevent wrinkles, prevent dry skin and acne, strengthen nails, stop muscle pain, low blood pressure and cancel the effects of alcohol.
Olive trees can survive droughts and strong winds, and grow well in well drained soils to a pH of 8.5 and the trees can tolerate salt water. In Europe, trees are normally fertilized every two years with an organic fertilizer. alternation can be avoided by heavy pruning and generally the trees respond to this very quickly and favorably.
Olive trees must be purchased that have been vegetatively propagated or grafted, because the seed grown trees return to a wild type that yields small olives with an insipid taste. Olive trees are more resistant to diseases and insects than any other fruit tree and, therefore, are sprayed less than any other crop.
The Romans conquered Greece in 146 BC C., and the victors took olive secrets to Rome, but since then Greece remains the largest exporter of olive oil over the centuries. The olive appears to be perfectly suited for growing in the temperate climate of the Mediterranean countries. The trees grow well in dry areas with mild winters and long hot summers, but drought conditions persist or strong winds. The European Mediterranean produces 98% of the global supply of oil. olive seeds are believed to have been brought to California in 1769 to become sturdy trees to 12 degrees Fahrenheit. Olive trees grown in the Spanish Franciscan monasteries.
Although commercial production of olives in the United States is only 2% of world market a great interest in olive cultivation throughout the South has been stimulated by the recent introduction of promising cold hybridizers robust European olive. Many immigrants Europe to the United States grow their own olive trees in large pots, which can move in and out of the house during seasonal changes.
About the Author
Patrick A. Malcolm, owner of TyTy Nursery, has an M.S. degree in Biochemistry and has cultivated fruit trees for over three decades.
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