Olive oil

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Olive oil

Olive oil is a vegetable oil. It is made by getting the juice of the fruits of the olive tree. These are called olives. The oil is used in cooking, as well as cosmetics, traditional medicine, and as a fuel for oil lamps. Refined olive oil uses heat and chemicals to get the fat out of the olives.

Olive oil quality is defined by some parameters that are measured by chemical analysis. One of the most important is acidity. The highest quality olive oil (Extra-Virgin) must feature an acidity lower than 0.8%.

People see it as a healthy addition to their diet because of the high level of monounsaturated fats (mainly oleic acid) and polyphenols. Olive oil is popular in Mediterranean countries. It is a big part of the Mediterranean diet as a main fat source.

Producers

Greece has more than a third of the world's olive trees, and is the top producer of olive oil in the world.

Olive Oil Media

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  Ancient Greek olive oil production workshop in Klazomenai, Ionia (modern Turkey)

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  Ancient oil press (Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology, Bodrum, Turkey)

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  Olive crusher (trapetum) in Pompeii (79 AD)

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  Vinegar & Olive Oil

• Artisan bread with olive oil and salt.jpg

  Olive oil served with bread

• Cold press olive oil machine at Saba Habib in Israel 2.jpg

  A cold press olive oil machine in Israel

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  Frantoio Maraldi, Loc. Troghi Firenze

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  A bottle of Italian olive oil

• Olio prodotto in Liguria.JPG

  Italian label for "extra vergine" olive oil