Olive Oil: History

History

Athena For 3500 years, the olive oil produced from over eleven million olive trees on the island of Crete, has been one of the most precious gifts of nature. The unique soil and weather conditions, the care of the producers, as well as the island's traditions, guarantee the quality of oil. Thus the incomparable taste, excellent aroma and high nutritional value of Greek Olive Oils are always carefully preserved in every bottle. An added factor in the purity of our oils is the island of Crete's prevailing winds that eliminate the need to spray trees with pesticides. Since we use organic cultivating methods, our olive oils can actually be called "ORGANIC".

Olives formed a significant part of the way of life of the Ancient Greeks. Olive oil was not only part of their daily diet, its properties were greatly revered; it was used to cure a myriad ailments, both internally and externally, religious leaders and kings were ceremonially anointed with, as Homer often referred to, "Liquid Gold."

Following the same method that the Ancient Greeks used centuries ago, Greek Olive Oils are produced from juice that is extracted from small, green olives, that are harvested by hand before the ripening process begins.
The olives are kept in deep wicker baskets to ensure sufficient ventilation, then transported to the nearby mills, where they are washed in cold water, drained and then spread into well aerated, shallow wooden crates. The olives are kept up to three days before they are crushed to a pulp by the mill's large stone wheels.

The pulp is then spread out on natural fiber mats, which are stacked layer upon layer in a vertical press. This is when the unadulterated Extra Virgin Olive Oil is extracted and further purified as it passes through cotton pad filters, before the oil is bottled. These are the factors that determine the rich emerald green color (chlorophyll) of our olive oils, and guarantee its smooth, fruity taste. To produce one liter of Greek Olive Oil, 5 - 6 kilos of the olive fruit is used.

According to Greek mythology, it was the Goddess Athena who gave the inhabitants of Athens the olive tree as a gift to their city. As a result, they named their city in her Honor. Since then, the branch of the olive tree has become the symbol of peace, victory and friendship.

In fact, Greece is the third largest olive oil producer in the world, and number one in the exporting of bulk olive oil, mainly to Italy and Spain.

Greek Olive oils are produced from olives harvested from a vista of olive groves, on the hillsides of the island of Crete.

To support our statements for the quality of our olive oils, the EEC certifies their origin and the General Chemistry Laboratory of Greece verifies their quality. That is why our label says, "Produced and Bottled in Greece"."BETRAS" Extra Virgin Greek Olive Oil has less than .05% oleic acid; "BETRAS" virgin Greek Olive Oil never exceeds 1%.

So, if you prefer a full bodied, intensely fruity sensation, with a delicate touch to the palate, you will find it in the rarest, and possibly the most harmonious of all olive oils: "BETRAS" Extra Virgin Greek Olive Oil and "BETRAS" virgin Greek Olive Oil.

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History
	For 3500 years, the olive oil produced from over eleven million olive trees on the island of Crete, has been one of the most precious gifts of nature. The unique soil and weather conditions, the care of the producers, as well as the island's traditions, guarantee the quality of oil. Thus the incomparable taste, excellent aroma and high nutritional value of Greek Olive Oils are always carefully preserved in every bottle. An added factor in the purity of our oils is the island of Crete's prevailing winds that eliminate the need to spray trees with pesticides. Since we use organic cultivating methods, our olive oils can actually be called "ORGANIC". Olives formed a significant part of the way of life of the Ancient Greeks. Olive oil was not only part of their daily diet, its properties were greatly revered; it was used to cure a myriad ailments, both internally and externally, religious leaders and kings were ceremonially anointed with, as Homer often referred to, "Liquid Gold." Following the same method that the Ancient Greeks used centuries ago, Greek Olive Oils are produced from juice that is extracted from small, green olives, that are harvested by hand before the ripening process begins. The olives are kept in deep wicker baskets to ensure sufficient ventilation, then transported to the nearby mills, where they are washed in cold water, drained and then spread into well aerated, shallow wooden crates. The olives are kept up to three days before they are crushed to a pulp by the mill's large stone wheels. The pulp is then spread out on natural fiber mats, which are stacked layer upon layer in a vertical press. This is when the unadulterated Extra Virgin Olive Oil is extracted and further purified as it passes through cotton pad filters, before the oil is bottled.	These are the factors that determine the rich emerald green color (chlorophyll) of our olive oils, and guarantee its smooth, fruity taste. To produce one liter of Greek Olive Oil, 5 - 6 kilos of the olive fruit is used. According to Greek mythology, it was the Goddess Athena who gave the inhabitants of Athens the olive tree as a gift to their city. As a result, they named their city in her Honor. Since then, the branch of the olive tree has become the symbol of peace, victory and friendship. In fact, Greece is the third largest olive oil producer in the world, and number one in the exporting of bulk olive oil, mainly to Italy and Spain. Greek Olive oils are produced from olives harvested from a vista of olive groves, on the hillsides of the island of Crete. To support our statements for the quality of our olive oils, the EEC certifies their origin and the General Chemistry Laboratory of Greece verifies their quality. That is why our label says, "Produced and Bottled in Greece"."BETRAS" Extra Virgin Greek Olive Oil has less than .05% oleic acid; "BETRAS" virgin Greek Olive Oil never exceeds 1%. So, if you prefer a full bodied, intensely fruity sensation, with a delicate touch to the palate, you will find it in the rarest, and possibly the most harmonious of all olive oils: "BETRAS" Extra Virgin Greek Olive Oil and "BETRAS" virgin Greek Olive Oil. Home - Products - History - Health - Trivia - ORDER - CONTACT US