Tip of the day 26/11: World Olive Tree Day

• November 26, 2024

The 26th of November is celebrated, since 2019, as World Olive Tree Day, an initiative of UNESCO, with the aim of encouraging the protection of the olive tree and the values it embodies, so that the international public opinion can appreciate its significant social, cultural, economic and environmental importance for humanity. The olive tree, the blessed tree, has its roots in the Mediterranean and is a universal symbol of peace and harmony. As you imagine, this day could be something like a national day  for Greece, as ranks 3rd in the world’s olive oil production, with more than 150 million olive trees and 2,800 olive mills that produce about 450,000 tons of olive oil annually, of which 75-85% is extra virgin. This percentage makes Greece the 1st country in the world in terms of extra virgin olive oil production! 27 labels, from all over the Greek countryside, are Designation of Origin products or have the honorary status of Geographical Indication products, while the famous Kalamata olives, the preserved olives of Amfissa, Arta, Atalanti, Rovies of Evia, Stylida, Volos, Throumba of Thassos, Chios and Crete have been honored with Protection of Designation of Origin.

Around Greece, you will also find various spots to visit and learn more about this ancient tree like the  Olive and Greek Olive Oil Museum in Sparti and Museum of Industrial Olive Oil Industry in Lesvos island. There are also various museums of olives in Andros, Kefalonia, Pilio,  Kerkyra, Thasos. In Aegena island, you could meet the most ancient olive grove in the country during an easy hike, as  well in the area  of Ermionida in Peloponissos.  You could also see two of the most ancient olive trees in the world, more than 3000 years old in Crete (one in Ierapetra and one in Chania), and another one a little younger in Salamina island. There is also one of the oldest olive trees in Attica region, in Agioi Anargiroi area.

So. now, we think you are ready to taste the Greek extra virgin olive oil and find it even more delicious!