The history of the olive dates back to early biblical times.  When the first olive tree was planted, it was a symbol of happiness and peace and has been used for many important things since the beginning of its time.  An olive is one of those items in which every part of the olive is used for something.  Whether it's the leaves, the oil or the olive itself, olives have a history unlike no other. 

Today, olives are produced in numerous countries - Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Morocco, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and California just skim the surface of where these olives reside now.  The Mediterranean area produces 93% of the olive production and is also where the olive is native to.  Therefore, it should be no surprise that the largest producers of olives, in the world, are Italy and Spain, where olives are a daily staple in the lives of the people.  Today, there are over 800 million olive trees being cultivated and over 90% of the olive production is used for making olive oil.

As far as the olive tree goes, it is one of the most outstanding and impressive trees in history.  It is one of the oldest trees known to man and can live to be over 2,000 years old.  The olive tree is actually considered an evergreen, despite what some people might think. 

Also, olives that are picked right off the tree are not edible, green, or ripe.  There is a process to go through, after picking the olives, which makes them so tasty and delicious to consumers.  They must be treated with lye (which is a concentrated solution of sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide) and/or cured in brine or dry salt before being able to eat.  Olives also contain about 20% oil which is why olive oil has become so popular in cooking as well as other things such as, medicine and religious ceremonies. 

Olives have an incomparable background and have continued to grow in popularity amongst the people of the world.  Not only are olives an enjoyable treat but they have acquired decades and decades of character too.  So, the next time you go food shopping, pick up some olives of your choice and indulge in their flavorsome taste.  Your taste buds will thank you later.