Olives in Crete have been cultivated since about 3500 B.C., and as an island with around seven million olive trees, it's no wonder olive oil has been a significant part of the Cretans' lifestyles for thousands of years. Cretans' meals are loaded with the stuff. It's in their salads, their fried dishes, their vegetables, their soup, and their pastries. Not many dishes can be found without olive oil in this part of the world. Crete also has a reputation for having the lowest mortality rates internationally, with less heart and cancer diseases. With their diet consisting mainly of fruits, vegetables, whole grain, and olive oil (low in saturated fat) it's no wonder that the Cretans have had a long tradition of living healthily. The olive harvest takes place from November to February after the dry, sun-filled summer and autumn which gives the oil its unique flavour and pleasant aroma.

Written by  Allison Hansen.

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