The Olive is an evergreen tree or shrub native to the Mediterranean, Asia and parts of Africa. It is short and squat, and rarely exceeds 8–15 meters in height.  The silvery green leaves are oblong in shape, measuring 4–10 cm long and 1–3 cm wide. The trunk is typically gnarled and twisted.

There is an olive tree in Crete, claimed to be over 2,000 years old (based of tree ring analysis) and another, on the island of Brijuni, Istria in Croatia, a well-known olive tree that is calculated to be 1,600 years old. It still gives fruit (about 30 kg per year), which is made into top quality olive oil.

The olive tree is one of the symbols of Athena, the Greek goddess, and is frequently mentioned in the Bible and the Qur'an.

There are a range of health benefits from extra virgin olive oil.  Click here for more information.