Olive, Olea europaea

Imagine a small tree with silvery leaves telling the story of an entire region. The olive is more than just a fruit – it is a symbol of peace, culture and indulgence.
Thousands of years ago, it began its journey in the eastern Mediterranean, where it enriched people’s lives. Kings and poets revered it, and its fruit was pressed into oil, which was used as food, medicine and even as fuel for lamps.
Today, the olive brings the taste of the Mediterranean sun to our tables – whether in the form of delicious oil or juicy, pickled fruit. And as we enjoy them, we remember that this little tree has the power to make history.

The olive tree

The olive (Olea europaea) belongs to the olive tree family(Oleaceae). It is an evergreen tree or shrub that can grow very old. Olive trees are known for their sturdy, gnarled trunks and characteristic silvery foliage. Olives thrive in warm, dry climates with poor soils. The optimum temperatures for olives to ripen are between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius, but they also need mild winters lasting around two months with temperatures between 1 and 10 degrees Celsius.

The small, creamy white flowers develop into stone fruits, the olives, which are first green, then reddish, purple and finally black, depending on how ripe they are. The fruit contains a high level of oils, especially unsaturated fatty acids, which make it particularly valuable for oil production.

The queen of the Mediterranean

The history of the olive (Olea europaea) goes back over 6,000 years and began in the eastern Mediterranean. Olives were already being used in the Neolithic Age and were domesticated in the Bronze Age. They were a central component of the civilisations of Western Asia, Egypt and Greece and were valued for their many uses – as food, lamp oil, cosmetics and medicine. In Greek mythology, the olive was a symbol of peace and wisdom.

The olive branch was often used as a symbol of peace in ancient times. In ancient Greece, a wreath of olive branches adorned the winners of the Olympic Games – a sign of honour and glory. Even in the modern world, the olive branch remains a universal symbol of peace, for example in the emblem of the United Nations.

The historical significance of the olive shows how deeply this plant is embedded in our cultural, economic and symbolic traditions. It is more than just a cultivated plant – it stands for the heritage and identity of the Mediterranean region.

The Romans contributed significantly to the spread of the olive throughout the Mediterranean and perfected cultivation methods and oil production. Remains of Roman olive presses and terraced landscapes are still preserved today. In the 16th century, Spanish colonialists brought olive trees to South America and California.

Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal are among the largest olive and olive oil producers. While Spain is the leader in terms of quantity, Portugal, Italy and Greece stand for high-quality oils. Olives are pickled and then eaten or pressed into olive oil, which is indispensable in Mediterranean cuisine. Olive oil is also used for bread, salads, marinades and frying. The oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants, which can prevent cardiovascular disease and have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Olive growing of the future: agroforestry systems

Where olives are grown in large monocultures, olive cultivation often leads to soil erosion and high water consumption. The use of pesticides is also widespread here, which threatens biodiversity. This is why pioneers are turning to agroforestry systems: In Greece, there is mixed cultivation of olives with wheat, barley, maize and chickpeas. In Italy, alfalfa is planted between the olive trees in some cultivation projects, but pointed-leaf asparagus (Asparagus acutifolius L.) is also popular.

Agroforestry systems are more widespread in Morocco. Here, olive cultivation is combined with a variety of crops: other trees such as figs, carob or quinces, cereals or legumes. These cultivation methods promote biodiversity and soil health while providing farmers with a better and more secure income.

Sources

Reports on global olive production and the challenges of modern cultivation. (FAO database)
Statistics on olive production and the importance of olive oil in global trade. (International Olive Council)
Article on the symbolism and role of the olive in the ancient Mediterranean and its importance as a symbol of peace. (Olive Facts (BBC Earth)
Interesting facts about the adaptability and role of the olive in Mediterranean agriculture. (Olive Facts (BBC Earth)
Cultural and historical significance of the olive in the Mediterranean region. Book: “The Olive Tree: A Mediterranean Legacy” Carol Drinkwater
Dhandapani et al. (2021): Prospective Adaptation of the Mediterranean Crop Olive in India. Link.