The olive or olive tree is fruitful tree of the family of oilseeds (Oleaceae). The fruit is called also olive and then that produced olive oil.
It is an evergreen tree. The leaves have dark green to a surface and gray-green ON THE other. The flowers are white, small, and appear in late May, while the fruit matures calculated after 8-10 years. Of course there are varieties which give excellent production within 4-6 years and harvested in late autumn and early winter.
The olive tree thrives in areas with a temperate climate and mild conditions of temperature and humidity, for it is widespread in the Mediterranean zone. Suitable areas for cultivation are coastal. The cultivation takes time, as the first effective production calculated after 8-10 years. Of course there are varieties which give excellent production within 4-6 years.
The olive fruit ripens in mid to late autumn, when the harvest begins, or the olive harvest .The olive traditionally gathered by hand (in recent years used mechanical means) and has for centuries significant agricultural activity in many parts of the Mediterranean.
The fruit of the olive tree is very essential for the Mediterranean diet, both edible and because of this the oil is produced. It is excellent source of monounsaturated fatty acids. The olive provides fiber and minerals in the body and is a source of vitamin E, a natural antioxidant. It is also believed that vitamin E slows the deterioration of cell membranes and fights osteoporosis.
Given the important role played by olive over the centuries the daily life of the Mediterranean peoples, particularly in Greece, branches, fruit and olive oil, are symbolic and hold a place of honor in various activities of life of local residents. Characteristic is the fact that the branches of the olive used in antiquity for the coronation of the winners at the Olympic Games. The assessment shows that the Mediterranean peoples in olive reflected in many everyday objects which are decorated with motifs consisting of branches and fruit of the olive tree.
Museums and olive oil are in many oil producing regions of the Mediterranean. These museum’s exhibit artifacts related to the cultivation and harvesting of olives and olive oil production.