Interesting Olive Oil Facts
A staple in many kitchens throughout the world, olive oil is as rich in flavor as it is history. Here are a few interesting facts about olive oil.
- 11 pounds of olives are pressed to produce 32 ounces of Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
- Olive oil is free of cholesterol, sodium and carbohydrates.
- Olive trees can live between 300 to 600 years, on average.
- As they ripen, olives turn from green to dark purple or black.
- 2.25 million tons of olive oil are consumed worldwide each year.
- Vitamin E and polyphenols found in olive oil increased the shelf life of baked goods.
- In the last 20 years, olive oil consumption has increased from 30 million to 60 million gallons in the United States.
- Olives must be processed below 86 degrees to retain their aroma and oxidation levels.
- One city and three towns in the United States are named Olive Branch.
- 7 liters of pressed olives are required to produce one liter of oil.
- 99 percent of the olive oil produced in the United States comes from California.
- 2,550 olive branches were used to crown the Olympians in the 2004 games in Greece.
- The United Nations, 7 nations and 4 states all feature an olive branch in their flag.
- An olive tree produces approximately four liters of oil each year.
- Olive trees are evergreen plants.