Introduction

1. The olive tree, Olea europaea, has been cultivated for olive oil, fine wood, olive leaf, ornamental reasons, and the olive fruit. About 90% of all harvested olives are turned into oil, while about 10% are used as table olives.

2. Olive trees show a marked preference for calcareous soils, flourishing best on limestone slopes and crags, and coastal climate conditions.

3. Olives are one of the most extensively cultivated fruit crops in the world.

4. One hundred grams of cured green olives provide 146 calories, are a rich source of vitamin E , and contain a large amount of sodium ; other nutrients are insignificant.

5. Olive tree pollen is extremely allergenic, with an OPALS allergy scale rating of 10 out of 10.