Olive oil is a superb example of a minimally processed food. Once purchased, olive oil can be used immediately or stored for quite a long time. The olive is actually a fruit, so the length of time that oils will last really depends on several factors. Some of these factors include the ripeness of the olive when it was originally picked from the tree and the type of pressing or crushing which was used to create the oil.
Most of the olives produced in the world come from several Mediterranean countries. These countries include Spain, Greece, Italy, Tunisia and Turkey. It is estimated that these countries alone possess almost eight hundred million olive trees used for the production of olive oil. There are several other European countries which also grow olives for exportation, but not in the quantity that the Mediterranean areas produce. Olive trees are an excellent crop for areas with dry and rocky soils. They tolerate hot climates well and are only really susceptible to cold. The best climate for olive production is found in regions where many other crops will not survive. This creates a tremendous cash crop for mountainous areas with little rain.
Olive oil has been used for thousands of years as a cooking oil, skin lubricant and as a religious anointing oil. Every culture in the world has some sort of use for this wonderful oil produced from the diminutive olive. From heart-healthy dietary aids to memory retention and lowering cholesterol, olive oil is known for its medicinal properties. A use for olive oil which has not gotten a lot of mention over the years, is as an aid for constipation.
Olive oil has become more popular in recent years because of its healthy attributes. Olive oil contains large amounts of vitamin E and vitamin K. Olive oil is also filled with antioxidants. These are nutrients which are believed to protect the body from damage due to environmental factors like smoke and other carcinogens. Olive oil is easily digested, the body naturally absorbs this oil and it soothes the stomach and bowels. Olive oil contains nutrients which protect bones and make calcium absorption easier for the body. Among all of the oils available for cooking, olive oil is the most nutritious.
Cold pressed olive oil is the healthiest of all cooking oils. There are so many varieties and qualities of olive oil that purchasing the correct oil can seem intimidating. Understanding the process by which olive oil is made will help a person to select the best possible oil for his or her purposes.