The olive is first pickled before it is edible. People think it’s just picked off the tree and you can put it on the table. But olives straight from the tree cannot be eaten. We now eat olives in some countries just as much as in countries around the Mediterranean. But we also grow them ourselves. Olive cannot simply be eaten from the tree, it must first be processed.
The Olive As A Symbol Of Peace
The olive belongs to the genus Olea. This genus has about 20 different species and hybrids. Only Olea Europea is suitable for consumption. The tree probably comes from the eastern part of the Mediterranean and is one of the most cultivated trees. The olive tree was cultivated about 3500 BC. In classical antiquity, the olive tree symbolized peace and wisdom, love and fidelity.
The Olive Tree In The Bible
The olive tree also plays an important role in the Bible. The dove that Noah released at the end of the flood returned with an olive leaf. This was proof that there was dry land again.
How Does The Olive Get To Other Parts Of The World?
Just like with other products, the trade ensured that the olive is now eaten and known all over the world. The plant was brought to the western Mediterranean and Africa, and then to Asia. Australia and America followed later.
The Olive Tree
The olive tree is a subtropical plant. This means that he loves mild winters and dry summers. Normally the tree grows in warm dry regions on poor soil and at altitudes up to 1000 meters. To survive the drought, the tree roots go very deep into the ground. The trees can become very old, for up to several hundred years. There are even olive trees of a thousand years. As the tree ages, it takes on a hollow trunk and irregular shapes.
The Difference Between Black And Green Olives
The color of the olive has to do with the ripening. A green olive is unripe. A purple olive is ripening and black olive is overripe.
When Does An Olive Tree Bear Fruit?
The age of the twigs of an olive tree determines whether it gives olives or not. Blossoms and olives only grow on twigs of 2 years and older. However, it can often take longer than 5 years before a tree bears fruit itself. The fruits ripen from July to September.
The taste and quality of the olives are mainly determined by the number of hours of sunshine the plant has had. The more that has been, the better the taste.
Grow Your Own Olives
In the world, an olive can only ripen if the summer is long and hot. The best method to keep an olive tree in the cool weather country is as a tub plant. The plant must then be in a sunny place. To get olives on the tree it is important to add potassium and lime to the soil. In spring and summer (during flowering) slow-acting fertilizer should be added every two weeks. Weeds are not appreciated by the plant. The soil should be moderately moistened, but certainly not too wet. Too much water will rot the roots. 
Don’t Eat Olives From The Tree, Put Them In First
Olives are ready to pick when they come off easily. You don’t eat an olive from the tree, they are bitter and hard. To prepare a black olive for consumption, it must first be soaked in a solution of water, salt, and vinegar. Green olives must first be crushed by notching them on the pit. Thicker olives should be scored on both sides.
Then store the olives in a dark place and in a sealed jar with vinegar and brine. After two months, the olives can be eaten. In the last ten days of the process (not earlier because then they will rot) herbs such as thyme, oregano or garlic can be added. The olives can be kept for several months to several years.
