The history of Greek olive oil

Olive oil in ancient Greece
 

To understand the history of Greek olive oil, we need to travel far back in time. Systematic production in Greece dates as far back as antiquity, with the earliest references appearing around 3000 BC in ancient Crete. Across Greece, numerous archaeological finds – such as olive pits, storage jars in tombs containing whole olives, and written records – bear witness to the existence of olive cultivation and the use of olive oil as a product for at least the past 5,000 years.

As early as the Minoan period, the olive and its oil were seen as valuable resources and were used not just in food, but in perfumes, cosmetics (as a base for ointments) and paints (as a polish) and they played a particularly important role in religious life.

A tablet from Knossos, written in Linear B, records the quantities of olive oil designated for each sanctuary as offerings to the gods. And according to ancient sources, the prize at the renowned Panathenaic Games was none other than around 100 amphorae filled with high-quality olive oil from the Athenian olive groves – an award that was considered a great honour for the victor. Similarly, the olive branch – an ancient symbol of peace – was awarded in the form of a wreath, known as the kotinos, to the winner of the Olympic Games.

In ancient Greece, olive oil was also considered a symbol of purification and purity. Worshippers would anoint themselves with it to strengthen their connection with the gods during sacred religious rituals. And the same holds true in modern religious customs, where olive oil still plays a central role – in baptisms, weddings, the anointing of the sick, and even funerals. It is also chosen as a source of light in vigil lamps and other religious objects, symbolising spiritual fruitfulness.

Finally, we can’t talk about the history of Greek olive oil without mentioning the myth behind the naming of Athens. According to legend, the goddess of wisdom, Athena and the god of the sea, Poseidon, competed for divine patronage over the region. Both offered gifts to the people and local gods, but it was Athena’s divine gift – the olive tree – that won their favour. As a result, the city has borne her name ever since.

Olive oil and Greek art
 

Beyond its enduring religious significance, olive oil has also held a prominent place in the arts of ancient Greece and beyond, inspiring poetry, songs and folk tales with its symbolic and cultural value. No other tree has been praised and sung about as much as the olive tree – its fruit and the oil it yields. In Greek poetry and literature, the olive tree is linked to peace and hope, reflecting a deep connection with the land and the human spirit.

Homer was the first to include the olive tree in his writings, associating it with divine protection and the nurturing presence of nature, and the ancient physician Hippocrates referred to olive oil in his medical texts as the “great healer”, praising its beneficial properties. He attributed around 60 different medicinal uses to it, highlighting its importance in ancient healthcare practices.

Kostis Palamas, one of Greece’s most important modern poets, wrote “I am the honoured olive tree,” while Andreas Kalvos, a leading figure of early 19th-century Greek Romanticism and the struggle for independence, referred to it as a “symbol of peace”, attributing to the tree the meaning of harmony and prosperity. Similarly, many folk songs and traditional stories refer to the olive grove and the olive press, where people worked tirelessly to produce the oil needed for their daily lives.

Likewise, poet Ioannis Polemis wrote, “Homeland, your olive presses work night and day,” highlighting the timeless connection between olive oil and the daily lives of Greeks, as well as the dedication to cultivation and production as a means of livelihood.

Olive oil as a pillar of the Greek economy
 

Looking back at the history of Greek olive oil, we can’t overlook its enduring contribution to the Greek economy and society. Through its industrial exploitation, it has for centuries generated income for local communities. Historically, olive oil was a primary source of income for many Greek farming families. And for a long time, it served as a means of exchange in place of money, used to obtain essential goods and to meet daily needs.

In this way, olive oil helped support the Greek economy during difficult times and provided a steady source of income thanks to its durability as a product. Today, Gerek olive oil production it has evolved into a dynamic industry, earning international awards and quality certifications that boost Greece’s competitiveness in the global food sector.

Olive oil and Greek cuisine
 

And finally, the most obvious (and delicious) part about the origins of Greek olive oil… it’s starring role in Greek cuisine! Open any book of traditional Greek recipes and you’ll likely find the opening line: “sauté the onion in plenty of oil,” or “seal the meat in hot oil.” Try for yourself!

Olive oil has always been a staple of Greek cooking – unlike other ingredients, such as honey, used since antiquity but which could be scarce, and tomatoes and potatoes, which were later additions. Indeed, it is remarkable how olive oil has remained at the heart of Greek cooking – not occasionally or in passing, but as a constant presence in a continuous culinary tradition.

From the 5^th-century BC cook Mithaecus, considered the first known author of a cookbook in the Western world, to Nikolaos Tselementes, the influential 20th-century chef who shaped modern Greek home cooking, and today’s contemporary chefs, olive oil – despite changes in how it is produced – has remained a constant pillar of Greek cuisine and culture.

No history of Greece can be written without mentioning olives and olive oil. From antiquity to today, they have accompanied every chapter of Greek life, with all aspects of the cultivation of the olive and production of olive oil considered an essential part of the nation’s cultural heritage.