May 14, 2010
Jodi James, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Olive oil has become an essential kitchen ingredient around the world.
Olive oil is not only good for you, but it also tastes great and can be used in
almost any recipe, dish or presentation. Here are ten facts about olive oil you
may not have heard before:
1. Christopher Columbus
introduced olive oil to America. Olive oil was one of many ingredients
Columbus insisted on carrying on all of his ships. In 1492, Columbus brought
olive oil to the Americas, though it was not widely accepted. It was later
reintroduced successfully by Italian and Greek immigrants.
2. Olive oil is produced today
the same way it was thousands of years ago. Olives today are still harvested
by hand, collected in nets and placed at the foot of an olive tree. Several
days later, olives are taken to the closest mill where stones weighing several
tons crush the olives and pits into mash. Olive mash is then spread on to thin
mats and pressed, separating the oil from the mash. This cold pressed method of
extraction is the same way olive oil was first produced thousands of years ago.
By contrast, olive oil that is mechanically separated is known as
"virgin" olive oil.
3. Olive oil is a stretch mark
prevention treatment. Beginning in ancient Rome, women began applying olive
oil to their midsection when pregnant. The olive oil was said to reduce the
appearance and formation of stretch marks. Today, many cultures still swear by
this practice.
4. Olive oil is a fruit juice.
Technically speaking, the olive is a fruit and the oil produced is a fruit
juice. Olives are pressed to release their juices in similar fashion to oranges
and lemons.
5. Greece is the world's largest
producer of olive oil. Greece produces the most olive oil per capita in the
world, followed by Spain, Tunisia, Italy and Portugal. Italy exports most of
its olive oil to the United States, where it remains the most popular oil.
6. Olive oil was anointed to
dead bodies to mask the smell of death. Contrary to popular belief, olive
oil has never been used as part of a religious ritual in death. Olive oil in
ancient times was applied to the skin of the newly deceased, but only to cover
up the smell of death.
7. Olive oil contains no cholesterol.
One tablespoon of olive oil has 120 calories and 14 grams of fat, but no
cholesterol. Seventy seven percent of the fat in olive oil is monounsaturated,
9 percent is polyunsaturated and the remainder is vegetable derived saturated
fat. Virgin olive oils also contain antioxidants beta-carotene and Vitamin E.
8. Eye shadow was once made with
olive oil. Women in ancient Greece created the first ever eye shadow by
mixing olive oil with ground charcoal. Today, olive oil is a common ingredient
in many makeup removal creams and oils.
9. Castile soap is made
primarily of olive oil. Originating from Castile, Spain, the popular soap
is made from pure olive oil, lye and water. Many well known skin care soaps
today contain large amounts of olive oil.
10. Extra Virgin olive oil comes
from the first pressing of the olives. The highest quality of olive oil is
extra virgin. It is removed during the first pressing of the olive oil mash
extraction. As a result, it is the least acidic and has the fruitiest flavor.
Source: http://voices.yahoo.com/10-facts-olive-oil-youve-never-heard-6000668.html?cat=22
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