olive oil history
Feb. 16, 2026
New Science Rewrites the Origins of Olive Cultivation in Italy
New paleogenetic and archaeobotanical techniques are challenging long-held assumptions about when olives were first cultivated in Italy, pointing to earlier and more regionalized beginnings.
Dec. 15, 2025
Italy’s National Cuisine Inscribed on UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List
Italy has become the first country to have its entire national cuisine recognized by UNESCO, highlighting Italian cooking as a living heritage rooted in sustainability, diversity and shared traditions.
Dec. 5, 2025
Archaeologists Uncover Massive Roman Olive Oil Complex in Tunisia
Archaeologists excavating Henchir el-Begar in central Tunisia have uncovered one of the largest olive-oil production complexes of the Roman world, complete with monumental beam presses.
Dec. 1, 2025
Montenegrin Producers Push to Boost Consumption as Ancient Groves Face Threats
In Bar and Ulcinj, ancient olive trees still thrive, but low consumption and growing development pressure worry producers. A new digital initiative aims to change that.
Apr. 22, 2025
Discovery of Ancient Olive Farming in Sicily Challenges Previous Beliefs
Researchers have discovered evidence of ancient olive farming in Sicily, 1,000 years earlier than previously thought, through pollen analysis and historical analysis.
Feb. 18, 2025
Archaeological Exhibition Explores History of Olive Oil in the Mediterranean
The event, held at the Collège de France, displays archaeological discoveries about the trade and production of olive oil in the Mediterranean.
Oct. 18, 2024 Business
Team Lithuania Triumphs at Seventh Olive Picking Championship
May. 28, 2024 News Briefs
L’Olivo di Sant'Emiliano: A 1,800-Year-Old Symbol of Umbria's Olive Tradition
Feb. 19, 2024 Basics
Jan. 16, 2024 World
Jan. 5, 2024 Producer Profiles
Buoyed by Awards, the Pope’s Official Extra Virgin Olive Oil Producer Looks Ahead to Harvest
Jan. 2, 2024
Officials in Jordan Work to Protect Millennial Olive Trees
Although they have lived through war, famine and plagues, Jordan's ancient olive trees are now threatened by luxury hotels and affluent collectors.
Dec. 18, 2023
Reflections on 45 Years Championing Italian Olive Oil in America
Nearly half of a century after a chance encounter with an Italian olive oil producer, John J. Profaci looks back on his role in the American market.
Dec. 14, 2023
Traditional Turkish Olive Cultivation Practices Recognized by UNESCO
The U.N. agency said Turkey’s traditional grafting, milling and table olive production methods are valuable to our global culture and must be safeguarded.
Dec. 11, 2023
Making Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Sicily’s Tree of Peace
Volunteers harvested olives to produce oil from the tree in Palermo that commemorates anti-mafia prosecutor Paolo Borsellino.
Dec. 7, 2023
Celebrating South America's Historic Olive Trees
The organization Sudoliva documents and preserves historic olive trees which tell the story of the European colonization of Latin America.
Nov. 6, 2023
Making Award-Winning Olive Oil from California’s Centenarian Trees
In the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, Guilio Zavolta and Rachelle Bross seek to promote and protect the state’s historic olive trees.
Aug. 7, 2023
Olive Oil Production Returns to Pompeii 2,000 Years After Volcanic Eruption
Ministers and farming organizations tasted local extra virgin olive oil and table olives while promoting a UNESCO nomination for Italian cuisines.
Dec. 9, 2021
Centonze, a Forward-Looking Farm Rooted in Sicily's History
In western Sicily’s Belice Valley, Centonze produces award-winning extra virgin olive oil, celebrating the land and history, while focusing on sustainability and innovation.
Dec. 6, 2021
Archaeologists Gather Online to Celebrate the History of The Mediterranean Diet
The Mediterranean diet dates back thousands of years. Archaeologists want to make sure its history is always preserved.
Nov. 15, 2021
Restoring Abandoned Olive Trees at Leonardo da Vinci's Home
A startup focused on restoring abandoned olive groves has adopted three hectares of trees around the House of Leonardo, with plans to expand.
Sep. 16, 2021
New Research Reveals Key Role of Olive Oil in Ancient Roman Diets
Using new investigative techniques, researchers from the University of Kent determined that olive oil constituted 20 percent of caloric intake among residents of one Roman city.
Aug. 10, 2021
Brač Seeks Croatia’s Sixth PDO Certification
Olive oil has played an integral role in the cultural, ecological and economic development of the Dalmatian island.
Jul. 20, 2021
Sicily's Monumental Olive Trees Provide Window Into Island’s History
Sicily’s oldest olive trees have stories to tell. From farmers overcoming adversity to the island becoming a trade hub, olive oil production played an essential part.
Jun. 24, 2021
Pottery Shards in Croatia Reveal Roman Olive Oil and Military History
When describing what is now modern-day Croatia, Cassius Dio said the people cultivated nearly no olives produced no wine. Today, Croatia excels in both, thanks largely to the Roman occupation.
May. 27, 2021
Olive Oil Tourism Returns to the Colosseum as Italy Reopens
The reopening of the Colosseum Archeological Park means that visitors can once again connect with Ancient Roman culture through olive oil production.