Extra Virgin Olive Oil, a Timeless Health Benefit.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil, a Timeless Health Benefit.

For centuries, herbal remedies have piqued the interest of scientists seeking new therapeutic properties. Recent research on the medicinal and therapeutic benefits of olives and their natural components has shown encouraging results. Over many generations and civilizations in the Mediterranean, organic olive oil has been valued for its many health benefits.

Originating in what is now Iran, Syria, and Palestine, the olive tree has a 6,000-year history in the Mediterranean (Asia Minor). It then made its way to the basin of the Mediterranean. This tree was perhaps one of the first ever planted in a garden. The Bible tells us that the dove returned to Noah with an olive leaf, signifying that the waters of the great flood were beginning to recede.

A sunny spot and warm weather are ideal for an olive tree. In a rocky subsoil, it thrives. There are twisted, knotted branches that grow from a smooth, ash-colored trunk. Because of its longevity and beauty, olive wood is used to make a wide variety of products, including high-end kitchen tools. The olive tree has a lengthy life expectancy, despite its sluggish growth rate. 

On Jerusalem's Mount of Olives, you can find olive trees that are supposedly more than two thousand years old. One popular interpretation of the Bible verse states, "The fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine," and suggests that this wording describes olive trees. Olive leaves, which are a silvery gray-green, are the source of the medicinal "olive leaf extract" that is used for many purposes. Oleuropein, a bitter compound, is extracted from olive leaves. Medical interest in olive leaves spiked in the 1960s, when scientists found that oleuropein reduced blood pressure in rats. Recent research suggests that olive leaf extract could have anti-viral properties that are safe for use around children.

The Minoan Kingdom is said to have been wealthy due to the olive. Evidence of olives in Egyptian tombs dates back to 2000 BC. Olives were first used by the Greeks, who passed them on to the Romans, who used them all across their enormous empire. There are a lot of faiths and cultures that recommend using olive oil. Olive oil was used to anoint the early Greek kings. Olympic champions were also anointed with it. It is widely believed that olive oil has positive effects on the internal and external health of people in many different cultures.

According to certain studies, among edible fats, extra-virgin olive oil has the best digestion. Vitamins A, D, and K are all absorbed more easily by the human body when olive oil is consumed. Olive oil aids biliary, intestine, and liver functions and slows down the aging process. Olive oil's organoleptic qualities its flavor, aroma, and color make it a highly prized ingredient in the kitchen. The pressing time determines the olive oil grade. Generally speaking, the quality of earlier pressings is higher. The pressing process of cold-pressed olive oil does not involve chemicals or heat, which are known to degrade important nutrients. When it comes to cooking with olive oil, this is the finest option for nutritious foods.

Olive oil, an essential component of the traditional Mediterranean diet, has a long history of culinary applications. This is a better option than butter for your health. When cooking fish or other foods with a strong flavor, use olive oil with a strong and pungent flavor. Salads are a great vehicle for extra virgin olive oil. To make cakes with a mild flavor, try using olive oil from the late-harvest mission type. When compared to other fatty cooking oils, gourmet olive oil is both healthier and more flavorful. Cold-pressed olive oil has previously received approval from federal agencies for its health advantages. Ads claiming that organic olive oil lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease and problems have been permitted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Here is a basic recipe for a bread dipping sauce made with olive oil.

Spreadable Sauce with Bread

Two to four servings

Ten minutes for preparation

What you need:

• 1/4 cup of extra-virgin olive oil
• 1-2 tablespoons of finely chopped fresh parsley (Italian parsley is ideal)
• 1 tablespoon of minced fresh basil
• 1/2 teaspoon of minced fresh rosemary
• 1 tablespoon of minced fresh garlic
• 1.5 teaspoons of oregano
• 1/3 teaspoon of thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes and 1 teaspoon of black pepper
• One-eighth of a teaspoon of citrus juice
• Season with salt, according to your preference.

Method:

In a skillet, heat the olive oil. Sauté the garlic until it turns a different color. After 2 or 3 minutes of cooking, add the other ingredients. Take the pot off the heat. Dip bread in it.