Olive Oil
Olive oil is extracted from the pulp of Olive fruits. This is a member of the Oleaceae plant family. Olive trees are always indicated as a symbol of peace and happiness. The leaves of this tree are used in the crown used for honoring the Olympic winners. The Olive wood was carved into statues of Gods. The oil of this tree was initially used in sacred lamps at temples. Altogether, Olive is always a symbolic representation of purity, divinity and goodness. It is an evergreen tree indigenous to the Mediterranean Basin. This tree grows up to a maximum height of 10 m. The Olive leaves are small in size and leathery in nature. The gray colored trunk of the Olive tree is deeply ridged. The flowers of this tree generally appear in clusters. These greenish white colored flowers bloom in bunches. The fragrant Olive flowers are followed by the Olive fruits. The fruits are oval in shape with an attracting appearance. The raw Olive fruits are green in color and turn black when ripe.
Olive oil is extracted from the fruit pulp of Olive fruits. Many think that this oil is extracted from the kernel which is not true. Olive oil has a culinary fragrance. The strong food smell of Olive oil is one stable reason for its increasing use in cooking. There are different types of Olive oil based on the method of extraction. They are Extra-virgin olive oil, pure olive oil, Olive oil, Virgin olive oil, Lampante oil, refined olive oil and Olive pomace oil. Say for instance extra virgin olive oil is extracted from the first pressing of olives, virgin olive oil from the second pressing and other oils as on. Virgin olive oil has a lighter color and preferably lesser aroma than the extra virgin olive oil.
Latin name: Olea europaea.
Alternative names: Olive, Olea oleaster, Olea lancifolia, Olea gallica, Olivier.
Olive trees grow in wild in the Mediterranean regions and are cultivated widely in other parts of the world including America. It is generally grown in parallel climatic conditions. Propagation is usually carried out by planting the cuttings from the plant. The ideal way of growing Olive trees is to cut the branches of different width and planting it deeply in the fertile soils fed with manures. Leaves are harvested throughout the year and the fruits are collected during the end of September through the mid of November. Olive oil contains oleic acid, linolenic acid, stearic acid, palmitic acid, behenic acid, arachidic acid, palmitoleic acid, linoleic acid, erucic acid, Oleum olivae and gadoleic acid. This oil has aperient, emollient, laxative, nutritious, cholagogue and demulcent properties.
Uses: Olive oil is used in cooking mainly because of its health benefits. It is used to treat insect bites, sprains, bruises, stings, burns, muscular pains, crusts, joint pains, scaly skin, dry nails, wounds and skin inflammations. Olive oil is also used for stimulating the natural bowel movements, promoting the function of bowels and enhancing the secretion of bile. This natural oil is also is used in ointments, liniments, cosmetics, soaps and few other pharmaceutical products.
