The History of Olive Oil | Herdade do Esporão

The olive tree originates from Asia Minor (Turkey) and grew spontaneously in the Mediterranean.

The Greeks and the Romans were keen producers of olive oil and experts in discovering uses for it, not only in food but also as a basic product in traditional medicine, hygiene and beauty treatments.

For many centuries the olive tree was only found in a few countries: Spain, Greece, France, Portugal and across North Africa.

It was the Romans who brought the culture of olive trees groves to the Iberian Peninsula. Although olive trees in Portugal date back to the Bronze Age, they only became thoroughly spread in the country during the 15th and 16th century.