Crete and Olive Oil
| Crete and Olive Oil- An Ancient Relationship "Out of the dark blue sea there lies an island called Crete, a rich and lovely land, washed by waves on every side, densely  peopled and boasting 90 cities" (Homer, The odyssey 19, 172-174)Crete is the largest island of Greece, rich in history and mythology. The God Zeus was raised on its mountains. Crete is the home of one of the most advance civilizations of the ancient world, the Minoans. Perhaps you are familiar with the famous Palace of Knossos or recall the myths of King Minos and the Minotaur. The minoans were a progressive, seafaring people with a rich culture.  They were among the earliest cultivators of the olive tree and believed it to be sacred. Many of the olive branches for the required 5,513 wreaths for the 2004 Olympics in Athens came from the Greek island of Crete, where the first olive press was supposedly developed around 1,600 B.C. The wreaths for the Men’s and Women’s Marathon were taken from 2 olive trees in Crete believed to be over 3000 years old!Taste of Crete's label colors are inspired by the Minoan palace at Knossos, shades of brick red, blues and golden yellow. |
If you are interested in learning more about Crete Culinary Vacations please visit the site of Nikki Rose at Crete's Culinary Sanctuaries Thank you!