Once Upon a Time - History of Olive Oil | Taste The Planet (Tasty Planet) - Taste The Planets

Once Upon a Time - History of Olive Oil | Taste The Planet (Tasty Planet)

"Once Upon a Time in Olive Oil" is a premium, artisanal olive oil brand that weaves ancient myth, Mediterranean tradition, and modern wellness into every drop. It’s not just oil — it’s a tale 5,000 years in the making.

A Story Infused in Every Bottle:

“Long ago, when the earth was young and the gods still whispered to the trees, there stood a single silver-green tree in the heart of the sunlit Aegean. From it, the first olives fell — gifts from Athena, goddess of wisdom and peace. She pressed them not with force, but with grace. The golden nectar that flowed? The oil of life.”

Each bottle tells a piece of this ancient tale — from creation myths to harvest rituals — rooted in lands like Greece, Italy, and Spain.

Product Line (Mythic Editions):

1. Athena’s First Press

  • Cold-pressed, single-origin Greek EVOO

  • Notes: Fresh-cut grass, almond, a peppery finish

  • Story: From the groves once said to be planted by Athena herself.

2. Hercules’ Reserve

  • Bold Tuscan blend for grilling and hearty dishes

  • Notes: Robust, slightly bitter, smoky

  • Story: Legend has it Hercules used this blend before battle.

3. Venus’ Caress

  • Delicate, floral Spanish Arbequina oil for salads and drizzling

  • Notes: Fruity, buttery, hints of apple

  • Story: Said to make the heart flutter like first love.

4. Oracle’s Infusion

  • Infused EVOO with rosemary, garlic, or lemon

  • Notes: Enlightening and aromatic

  • Story: Inspired by the oracles who read fate in oil’s shimmer.

Packaging:

  • Bottles designed like ancient amphorae

  • Storybook scroll label on every bottle

  • Wax-sealed corks for premium editions

  • Collector’s edition includes a "Legend of the Olive" mini book

Brand Values:

  • Organic, sustainably harvested olives

  • Hand-picked and cold-pressed within 24 hours

  • Supports family-owned groves

  • Every bottle plants an olive tree in reforestation zones

 

The History of Olive Oil: From Sacred Tree to Global Staple

Origins: Ancient Beginnings (~4000 BCE)

  • The olive tree is native to the Mediterranean Basin.

  • The earliest evidence of olive oil production comes from Crete, Syria, and Palestine, around 4000–3000 BCE.

  • Wild olives were likely first used for lamp fuel and later for food and medicine.

Olive Oil in Ancient Civilizations

1. Ancient Egypt

  • Used in religious rituals, cosmetics, and medicine.

  • Oils (including olive) were used in mummification.

2. Minoans and Greeks

  • By 2000 BCE, Minoans in Crete were cultivating olive trees and exporting oil in ceramic jars.

  • The Greeks considered olive oil sacred — a gift from Athena, goddess of wisdom.

  • Olive oil was used to anoint athletes, warriors, and kings, and as a prize at the Olympic Games.

3. Ancient Rome

  • Olive oil became a major commodity in the Roman Empire.

  • It was used for cooking, lamps, skin care, religious ceremonies, and even taxes.

  • Romans built large-scale olive presses and storage facilities; amphorae filled with oil were shipped across the empire.

Olive Oil in Religion and Symbolism

  • In Judaism, olive oil was used to anoint kings and light the Menorah in the Temple.

  • In Christianity, it’s used in anointing sacraments and symbolizes the Holy Spirit.

  • In Islam, the olive is mentioned in the Quran as a blessed tree.

Middle Ages to Renaissance

  • Olive oil remained important throughout the Islamic Golden Age in Spain and North Africa.

  • In Christian monasteries, monks maintained olive groves and continued oil pressing.

  • By the Renaissance, olive oil returned to prominence in European cuisine and medicine.

Modern Era (19th–21st Century)

  • Olive oil production spread to the Americas, Australia, and Asia.

  • With the rise of the Mediterranean diet in the 20th century, olive oil was recognized for its health benefits — especially for the heart and brain.

  • Today, the largest producers are Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Tunisia.

Cultural and Health Legacy

  • Symbol of peace: The olive branch still represents peace today.

  • Health superfood: Rich in monounsaturated fats and antioxidants.

  • Cultural treasure: Still harvested by hand in many parts of the Mediterranean, passed down over generations.

 

Back to blog

Leave a comment