Have you ever wondered where do black olives come from, or where do black olives grow? This article will discuss olives and their history as well as black olives, green olives and the difference between them.
1. What are Olives?
Olive is a small round dense fruit. It belongs to a family of Oleaceae. Its botanical name is Olea Europaea which means European olive. It is a small tree species mostly found in the Mediterranean region. It serves as the main source of olive oil in that region. It also has agricultural importance in that area, as most dishes in the Mediterranean cuisine are made using different forms of olive such as fruit, oil, or others. The olive tree is an evergreen tree which means it is functional as well as green for more than one season. (See 7 Recipes for Fresh Tomatoes from Garden)
2. What is the History of Olives?
Olives were usually a large part of the Mediterranean region. The oldest-known and recorded fossil was 20 to 40 million years ago. It was found in the Oligocene from where it got its name. It was a part of Paleogene as well. Later, it corresponded to Italy as well as the east part of the Mediterranean basin. These oleasters or raw forms of olives were assembled 19,000 years ago in the Eastern Mediterranean. However, it was not exclusive to Americans and found its root in countries of Spanish origins as well. One of the known incidents was in the 14th century when olives were stored in Dere Street. (See How Are Peanuts Made?)
3. What is the Symbolism of Olives?
- Olives are more than a fruit or oil and are a symbol of peace. This usually comes from the Hebrew Bible, which follows the Old Testament. It was mentioned in the Hebrew Bible under the name slate of Book of Genesis 8:11. Noah was given the olive branch from a dove as a symbol to show that the flood was over.
- Olives also became a part of the New Testament where it talked about St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans.
- The olive branch is mentioned in Islamic culture as well. The Quran mentions the olive fruit as a precious offering to Allah.
- The United States also presents the olive branch as a symbol of peace. (See What Meanings and Symbolism do Fruits have?)
4. What are the Uses of Olives?
Olives are very useful to us. While eaten raw, olives are bitter but good for health as discussed, though, in order to make them more palatable. Moreover, citric acid is essentially used to pack and preserve green olives.
- Olives are eaten as a fruit usually after taking out the outer bud of the olive. They are good for the liver and intestine as well as they help improve the digestive system astronomically.
- They can be taken as oil since they are low in cholesterol but might not be up to the mark in taste as some people might like it to be.
- Another major use case is as wood or more specifically olive wood which is hard and durable with a grainy texture and acute smell of olive.
5. What are Black Olives?
Black olives are not very different from regular olives but stand in stark contrast to green olives. They are more beneficial for the heart rather than the digestive system. They are not found naturally, rather ripened using artificial processes. Black olives have a higher content of oil than green olives. Black olives are usually found on pizza or pasta in sliced or chopped form. They are denser hence heavier to digest, so they should be taken in minimal amounts. Read ahead to find out where do black olives come from. (See 22 Magnesium-Rich Foods that are Healthy)
6. Where do Black Olives come from?
Black olives are usually found in the Mediterranean region but not in abundance as they stale very quickly. They are found in Greece mostly. Furthermore, they are still a part of the black olive, but some people debate on it otherwise. Black olives are usually stored in cans as the air-sealed cans help them to last longer. So to sum up where do black olives come from: they are mainly found in the Mediterranean region!
7. What are Green Olives?
Green olives are like gold to a healthy lifestyle. They can be as much as ten times healthier than the black olives. Also, they last longer than black olives, which is why they are shipped in jars. Green olives are responsible to take care of your digestive system, liver, and intestine, but it is not fast food-friendly They ripen naturally as well. They can be used as a source of olive juice. (See What do Cherry Blossoms Symbolize?)
8. Where do Green Olives come from?
Green olives are also found in the Mediterranean region and are more in line with the classic olives that people are familiar with most. They are found in Spain, Greece, Italy, and France. They do grow on trees and are more widely spread than the black olives. There are different names given to olives such as: the Spanish green olive is known as the Manzanilla and French green olive as Picoline. Italy produces green olives under the name of Cerignola. Citric (See Does All Fruit Grow on Trees?)
Now we know where do black olives come from, the difference between black and green olives, and their symbolism.
