Olive Oil History

Olive cultivation began in the Middle East over 5,000 years ago and gradually spread westward throughout the Mediterranean basin. In Biblical times, it was used as a sanctifying chrism for kings, prophets and holy people from Samuel to Jesus. This practice continues to this day in some churches when people are anointed with holy oil. For the Greeks, olives and olive oil are not only important foods but also symbols of holiness, courage and life.

Spain, not Italy, provided the bulk of the olive oil to the Roman Empire. Archeologists in Rome found a mountain composed of 40,000,000 earthenware vessels that bore the labels of to the Spanish producers in Andalucía. To this day Spain produces almost as much olive oil as the rest of the world combined. Today, two hundred sixty-two distinct varieties of olives are grown in Spain.

As in classical times, Spain continues to be the world's leading producer of olive oil, with approximately 975,000 tons produced per year. Over 250,000,000 olive trees grow in Spain covering 7,720 square miles of groves that stretch as far as the eye can see. Some of them are over one thousand years old! Here at LaTienda.com you can have your pick of a broad selection of the finest extra virgin olive oil in the world.

Olive oil is coming into its own in America. I liken it to what happened forty years ago when wine became a regular part of American cuisine. I was in Berkeley at the time and remember my friends and I buying jugs of generic red or white wine for parties and picnics. As soon as people got used to having wine as part of their meals, they became interested in quality rather than just price. Today even budget supermarkets in many states have shelves filled with quality wines from around the world.

In the United States, we are now spending more on olive oil than any other vegetable oil! Quality is becoming more important as Americans find new and interesting ways to use olive oil. We at LaTienda.com have the most extensive selection of Spanish olive oils in the country. We hope you will feel confident as you select the oils that you will particularly enjoy.