The olive tree (Olea europaea) is a tree species from the olive family (Oleaceae), whose fruit is edible and is native to the Mediterranean climate. It has dense branches, a broad top, and leaves in summer and winter because new leaves grow in place of fallen leaves. It can reach 15 meters in height and can live up to 1000 years old. Studies have also determined that there are olive trees that are 3000 years old.
Olive is the hard-stone fruit of the olive tree that first turns green and then turns purple or blackish after ripening as a result of the flowers that bloom between the leaves of the olive tree towards the end of spring.
Olive cultivation is done in all regions of Turkey except the Eastern and Central Anatolia Regions. It is grown in all villages of Muğla, including the Center, where farming is practiced. Even if not everyone has an olive grove, most houses with a garden have one or two olive trees. Olive oil is a product that almost every family does not leave their homes, and it is widespread in terms of both use and production.
The existence of olives dates back to a time before humans began to engage in agriculture. In fact, it is accepted that olive cultivation began with the first humans, and the importance of olives in human history is included in all holy books, creation and foundation legends. Archaeological findings and evidence from the Neolithic age provide information about the early period, while written sources provide information about later periods such as the Bronze Age.
An old olive oil workshop found in the ancient city of Klazomenai near the Urla district of Izmir dates back to the 6th century BC. In Anatolia, Urla Liman Tepe and Milas Pilavtepe, the Bronze Age, Cilicia, Lykia, Caria and Klazomenai, Gerga, Alinda, Alabanda, Labraunda, the region between Iasos-Mylasa; Olive oil workshops dating back to the Ancient Age have been identified in settlement areas such as Kızılağaç, Aspat and its surroundings, Turgutreis, and Pedesa.
It has been understood that during the Carian civilization, production was carried out in the inner part of the region on a small scale, mostly for home use, and in the coastal area, in Elle and Erlek bays in Marmaris, and in centers such as Knidos and Halicarnassus, for export.
According to archaeological remains, olive cultivation began in Anatolia 6,000 years ago, and the first breeding and cultural studies were carried out by the Samis.
The olive is like the symbol of the Mediterranean civilization. Research shows that it has an important place in all civilizations established in the Mediterranean.
Throughout history, the olive has been both an important food and trade item, and has been reflected in legends, mythologies, religions, and art, and has been included in the holy books and the Quran, and has been used as a tool for light, blessing, purification, health, sports, and beauty.