The History of Olive Oil

In the first part of our series, we took a look at Ancient Greece. The history of Olive Oil continues with the Roman Empire, where this foodstuff enjoyed great importance. Spain, which at the time was known as Hispania, was one of the empire’s most prosperous provinces.

The Romans helped make Olive Oil what it is today, improving the techniques for cultivation and transportation. They consumed olives and Olive Oil from the Baetica region of Hispania (modern-day Andalusia) on a large scale. In fact, the oil from Hispania was the most valued of the empire for its high quality. It is estimated that during this time period Hispania exported more than 30 million vessels of Olive Oil, sending thousands of them to the empire’s capital.

The remains of many of these vessels in which oil was transported were unearthed at the end of the 19th century, when Heinrich Dressel, an Italian-Prussian scientist, discovered them buried in a Roman hill. Investigating their origins, he discovered that residents of that age used to discard the empty vessels from the south of Spain on the banks of the River Tiber. The fragments, along with the soil that accumulated, came to form a hill that is known today as Testaccio.

In the Middle Ages, Olive Oil was often used to make soaps in Spain and in neighbouring France. Not surprisingly, it has had many uses, such as fuel to light homes or as an ingredient in beauty treatments. But the main use has been and continues to be for food. Olive Oil, whether it is Extra Virgin, Virgin, or simply Olive Oil, is perfect in any recipe.

Later in the 19th century, the cultivation of Olive Oil expanded in Spain because of the construction of railways. It was thanks to this new mode of transport that the country became the largest olive grove in the world.

Testaccio is the 20th rione of Rome, deriving its name from Monte Testaccio. In antiquity, much of the Tiber River trade took place here, and the remains of broken clay vessels (amphorae) were stacked creating the artificial Testaccio hill, which today is a source of much archeological evidence as to the history of ancient everyday Roman life. The rione seal depicts one of these amphorae. 

In the 20th century, a technological revolution in Spain allowed for the production of even higher quality oils, ones that win at the world’s most prestigious competitions year after year. Nowadays, Spain is the world leader in quantity and, above all, quality when it comes to olive oil.

Origin:http://blog.tasteourlifestyle.com/blog/2013/11/06/the-history-of-olive-oil-ii/