L'Olio dei Papi 100% Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil cold extracted produced from the centuries-old olive groves of the ancient lands of the Popes 0,5 LT (gift box)

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This olive oil is best enjoyed with salted, crusty bread or over a classic salad, and should be consumed as soon as possible to make the most of the delicate flavours.

In the New York Times bestselling Extra Virginity, Tom Mueller writes both a love letter to ages-old, family-run, small batch olive oil purveyors and a scathing survey of the widespread global oil fraud that threatens to destroy the entire industry. If you didn’t think a common kitchen ingredient could be fascinating, you would be wrong, as the book is as compelling as any crime novel—it’s also a must-read for anyone who is interested in food health. In fact, recent research from olive oil experts, Filippo Berio and Glasgow University has discovered that eating 20ml of raw (meaning, uncooked) olive oil each day, has significant heart health benefits. The research also shows that no other type of oil has a positive effect on heart health (sorry sunflower and rapeseed oil!).As ancient as civilization itself, olive groves have a magical ability to endure—through frost, through fire, through drought—and in turn, their sacred fruit carries some of that power. Rife with polyphenols (powerful antioxidants that ravage free radicals and are believed to prevent numerous cancers, including breast and prostate), oleocanthal (thought to help prevent Alzheimer’s), and other anti-inflammatory compounds, many believe that the health of Mediterraneans is due in large part to their intense consumption of high quality olive oil. In fact, many shoot it straight down. Not all extra-virgin oils are created equal, though. The industry isn’t well regulated, meaning some oils are of a much higher standard than others and so it pays to shop around. The best EVOO oils are typically used for salad dressings and drizzling over finished dishes. Olive oil was an important export of Mycenaean Greece (c. 1450–1150 BCE) when they frequently traded with the Phoenicians and even parts of North Africa. Researchers believe that at this time, olives were placed in woven mats and squeezed to extract oil. This process continued – and was also used by the Egyptians – through the Hellenistic period. The olive reached its mythological zenith during the time of the ancient Greeks. Zeus offered Athena the guardianship of the city of Atikka in return for the gift of a grafted olive tree, which he deemed more valuable than Poseidon’s offering of a powerful war horse. As such, EVOO is considered a more premium product, with a more nuanced flavour profile. For that reason, many consider it a waste to cook with, saving it for finishing dishes, drizzling and dipping.

According to a 2007 article by Paul Vossen of University of California Cooperative Extension, the precise origin of the olive tree is unclear. While we think of the olive as a product of Mediterranean countries, researchers speculate that the wild olive originated in Syria, or potentially sub-Saharan Africa.Also beware of ambiguous wording. Just because an oil says it’s a ‘product of Spain’, for example, doesn’t mean the olives were grown or harvested there. This can simply mean it’s been imported from elsewhere and bottled there. All our formulas are crafted to work in sync with what makes the human body thrive. That's why we use ancient techniques, potent superfoods, and clinically proven ingredients which are easily absorbed by your body. What’s more, we keep everything free from fillers, artificial ingredients and synthetics, from harvest to home.

One of its most famous uses in the ancient world was in sports. In Ancient Greece, it was customary for athletes to rub their muscles with olive oil before entering the gymnasium. This was intended to help prevent injuries and muscle pain during and after physical activity. Recent studies have confirmed that there's some truth in this ancient practice, and that massaging with olive oil can help ease muscle fatigue and decrease the lactic acid that can build up during a workout. Others have found evidence that olive oil may also have effects as a pain-relieving anti-inflammatory. Olive is considered a “blessed” fruit in Islam, with one of the religious texts even saying “Eat olive oil and use it on your hair and skin, for it comes from a blessed tree.” It is used in ruqya treatment, a traditional religious healing modality. In Ancient Greece, olive oil was used in the religious ceremonies of the Minoans on the island of Crete. The Athenians also used olive oil in worship. When people died, olive oil was used to anoint their bodies and prepare them for burial.To taste the oils of the ancients, always reach for a high-quality EVOO. Isn’t there something just divine about it? Olive oil is a staple within the Mediterranean diet, a diet known for its positive effects on many aspects of health.” Bottle – Exposure to light can speed-up the deterioration of cold-pressed olive oil. That’s why producers tend to distribute extra-virgin oils in dark-coloured or opaque bottles. This doesn’t mean you should avoid light-coloured bottles altogether, but it’s something to keep in mind if you plan on storing your oil for a prolonged period of time. How much should I spend on olive oil? However, when you dig deeper, it’s clear extra virgin olive oil is the healthiest choice as it’s made from cold-pressed olives, which means it's less processed than regular olive oil. It’s also way tastier too, as this gentle approach helps to maintain more of the oil’s aroma, flavour and nutritional value.” — win, win. How we test As Dr. Ianir Milevski of the Israel Antiquities Authority, who was part of the dig, told Haaretz, the find proves that olive oil was being produced 8,000 years ago. In fact, the ancient extracts have a strong resemblance to modern-day olive oil. Propagation of Olive Trees