National Olive Day Is a Time to Celebrate Olives

June 1 is National Olive Day. This is a day that celebrates the versatility and health benefits of olives. Regardless of whether you love eating olives as a snack, using olive oil in your cooking, or indulging in a delicious bowl of pasta with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, National Olive Day remains the perfect time to celebrate this amazing fruit.

There are hundreds of olive varieties, all of which you can choose from. The most popular, however, are Kalamata, Beldi, Thasos, Gaeta, Castelvetrano, Arbequina, Amfissa, Nyons, Liguria, Niçoise, Gordal, Picholine, Cerignola, Alphonso, La Catalan, Manzanilla, Italian dry or salt-cured olives, Moroccan dry or salt-cured black olives, and Stuffed olives.

Olives and the History of National Olive Day

First and foremost, the history of olives dates back almost 8,000 years, to ancient times, when the olive tree was symbolic and considered sacred by many cultures. In fact, the olive is among the oldest trees in the world, so olives are among the oldest known fruits.

National Olive Day - A Celebration of Olives — *Olives. Photo by wael belkahla*

In ancient Greece, olive branches were used as symbols of peace and victory, and olive oil was considered a precious commodity that was used for cooking, lighting lamps, and even in religious ceremonies. Today, olives are grown and harvested in many different parts of the world and enjoyed by millions every day.

National Olive Day was founded in 2015 by DIVINA Products, a gourmet olive brand under Foodmatch Inc. They are known for producing a variety of Mediterranean products, including peppers, figs, and fig jams, as well as olive products. The day is, therefore, a celebration of this incredible fruit and the many ways it is used.

The Health Benefits of Olive Oil

Olives have so many benefits and uses. In addition to its delicious flavor, olive oil has numerous health benefits that make it popular. It is high in monounsaturated fats, which are known to be beneficial for heart health. It also contains antioxidants that can help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals.

Extra virgin olive oil, in particular, is known for its high levels of healthy fats and antioxidants. This olive oil is made from pure, cold-pressed olives and is not refined or processed, so it retains more of its natural nutrients and antioxidants. It is a healthier choice for cooking and eating.

National Olive Day is the perfect time to celebrate the numerous benefits of the olive tree. — *Photo by @brit.in.greece*

How to Celebrate National Olive Day

So, how can you celebrate National Olive Day? There are various ways to do that. Some ideas for observing this day are.

1. Host an Olive Oil Tasting Session at a National Olive Day Gathering

You can invite your friends and family over for an olive oil tasting party. Buy a few different types of olive oil and sample them together, noting the differences in flavor and aroma. You could also pair the olive oil with foods like bread, cheese, or vegetables to see how they complement each other while you enjoy the taste of this Mediterranean fruit.

How Can You Observe National Olive Day? There Are Many Ways to Celebrate National Olive Day — *Oil oil. Photo by @palazzomassaini*

2. Make Your Own Olive Tapenade

Olive tapenade is a delicious and versatile spread that can be used on bread, crackers, or as a dip for vegetables. It's easy to make at home with just a few ingredients, including olives, garlic, and olive oil. So, for your observance of National Olive Day, how about experimenting with different herbs or spices to customize the flavor?

3. Try a New Olive Oil-Based Recipe

Countless recipes feature olive oil as a key ingredient, from simple salads to elaborate main dishes. Take this opportunity to try a new recipe that showcases the rich, fruity flavor of extra virgin olive oil and savor the variety of recipes available.

4. Visit a Mediterranean Eatery and Enjoy the Cuisine

Going out to a Mediterranean eatery can afford you an opportunity to sample a variety of recipes made using olives, as well as other Mediterranean cuisines. From Egyptian lentils with rice and pasta, also known as Koshari, to authentic Greek salad, also called Horiátiki Salata, Armenian losh kebab, tortilla Española, black-eyed peas with fresh dill, olive oil, and orange slices, and Briam, which is baked vegetables in olive oil and originates from the Island of Ikaria in Greece, there is so much that you can choose from.

5. Visit an Olive Grove or Olive Oil Producer

If you live in an area where olives are grown, consider taking a tour of an olive grove or visiting an olive oil producer. This can be a great way to learn more about the history and production of this amazing fruit, as well as to taste some delicious olive oil straight from the source. Who knows? You could have a taste of the different olive varieties available as you learn so much about this ancient fruit, which you perhaps did not have any idea of!

6. Celebrating National Olive Day With Bariani Olive Oil

If you're looking for a high-quality, delicious olive oil to celebrate National Olive Day with, then Bariani Olive Oil is a great choice. This family-owned company has been producing extra virgin olive oil in California since 1991, using only the highest quality olives and traditional cold-pressing methods.

Bariani Olive Oil is known for its rich, fruity flavor and its health benefits. It's perfect for drizzling over salads and pasta dishes, or using in your favorite recipes. And best of all, it's made with love and care by a family who is passionate about producing the best olive oil possible.

Which Flowers Can Be Used in National Olive Day Celebrations

National Olive Day is, by and large, dedicated to celebrating the health benefits and culinary uses of olives, and hence, the day may not be overly flower-oriented since olives are not typically associated with flowers. The olive tree, however, produces whitish flowers called rapa, trama, cadillo, or esquimo depending on the geographical region.

There are, therefore, no specific flowers traditionally associated with National Olive Day. However, if you are looking to incorporate some floral decorations into your National Olive Day celebration, you could consider using green and white flowers to symbolize the colors of olives, or incorporating in your floral arrangements Mediterranean-inspired flowers such as lavender, rosemary, or thyme into your floral arrangements, which are commonly used in the cuisine of olive-growing regions.

Why It Is Important to Celebrate National Olive Day

National Olive Day celebrates the incredible versatility and health benefits of olives. Be it that you love snacking on olives, cooking with olive oil, or indulging in a delicious bowl of pasta with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, this day is the perfect opportunity to enjoy all that this amazing fruit has to offer.

And whether you celebrate National Olive Day by hosting an olive oil tasting, trying a new recipe, or visiting an olive grove, you're sure to have a memorable and delicious experience, because from its history to the immense health benefits of olive oil, there's so much to learn and appreciate about this incredible fruit.

So on June 1, just be sure to celebrate this day in whichever way you deem ideal!

Featured image by Gary Barnes. Header image by Couleur.

FAQ

What is National Olive Day and how did it start?

National Olive Day is celebrated every year on June 1st as a day to honor the versatility, cultural significance, and health benefits of olives. It was founded in 2015 by DIVINA Products, a gourmet olive brand under Foodmatch Inc., known for producing a variety of Mediterranean products, including peppers, figs, and fig jams alongside their olive products. The day encourages people to explore olives in all their forms: as a snack, in cooking, in skincare, and beyond.

How ancient is the history of the olive tree?

The olive tree has one of the longest agricultural histories of any crop. DNA analysis has pinpointed the earliest domestication of olive trees to between 8,000 and 6,000 years ago, in the eastern Mediterranean region between present-day Turkey and Syria. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Phoenicians revered the tree not just for its economic value but also for its spiritual and cultural significance.

In Greek mythology, the olive tree was a gift from the goddess Athena to the city of Athens, symbolizing wisdom and peace. In ancient Greece, olive branches were also used as symbols of peace and victory, and olive oil was considered a precious commodity used for cooking, lighting lamps, and religious ceremonies.

What are the main health benefits of olive oil?

Olive oil, especially extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), is one of the most nutritionally studied foods in the world. The majority of fats in olive oil are monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), which have been shown to increase levels of 'good' HDL cholesterol while lowering 'bad' LDL cholesterol. Among plant-based cooking oils, olive oil has the highest levels of MUFAs.

Aside from fats, major research findings associate olive oil with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, improvement in endothelial function and lipid profile, prevention of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, and modulation of the gut microbiota, benefits attributed to its high monounsaturated fatty acid content and minor compounds such as polyphenols like oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol. A key anti-inflammatory compound is oleocanthal. Research has shown it works similarly to ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

What are the most popular olive varieties and how do they differ?

There are hundreds of olive varieties grown around the world, ranging widely in flavor, texture, color, and use. The most popular varieties include Kalamata, Castelvetrano, Arbequina, Manzanilla, Niçoise, Gordal, Cerignola, Picholine, Gaeta, and stuffed olives, among many others. Some, like the buttery green Castelvetrano from Sicily, are prized for snacking, while others, like Kalamata (a rich, dark Greek variety), are staples in salads and tapenades. Arbequina olives, small and fruity, are widely used in Spanish olive oil production. The variety chosen significantly affects the flavor profile of the olive oil produced, which is why olive oil tastings, much like wine tastings, can reveal remarkable differences between bottles.

How can you celebrate National Olive Day in a meaningful way?

There are many enjoyable ways to mark the occasion. You could host an olive oil tasting party, inviting friends and family to sample different types of olive oil paired with bread, cheese, or vegetables to explore the differences in flavor and aroma. For the more culinary-inclined, making homemade olive tapenade with olives, garlic, and olive oil is a simple and delicious option, or you could try a new recipe featuring extra virgin olive oil as the star ingredient.

If you live near an olive-growing region, visiting an olive grove or olive oil producer is a wonderful way to learn about the history and production of this ancient fruit and taste oil straight from the source. You can also incorporate Mediterranean-inspired floral arrangements with lavender, rosemary, or thyme to set the mood – herbs closely tied to the cuisines of olive-growing regions.