Majestic in its beauty, mighty against 
									the hardships of nature, the olive tree has 
									its roots deeply implanted in history, with 
									origins dating back to our ancestor that 
									lived in Jordan thousands of years ago.
									
									Civilization after civilization have 
									considered this tree sanctified, they have 
									eaten its fruits as a delicacy, and used its 
									leaves and oil. It was first cultivated in 
									Jordan and Syria around 6000 BC and then 
									moved westwards to reach the new world in 
									which it was introduced by the Spanish 
									settlers in the year 1500AD. According to 
									the Old Testament, it was an olive branch 
									that the dove brought back to Noah which let 
									him know that the land was safe once again. 
									A garland of olive leaves, a symbol of honor 
									was found in the tomb of Tutankhamen. 
									Pickled olives were found stored in the 
									ruins of Pompeii..
									
									The Greeks consecrated the tree to Minerva 
									(goddess of wisdom and health). They also 
									considered it together with its oil a symbol 
									of abundance and courage and crowned the 
									victorious athletes in their Olympic games 
									with its leaves. In fact the olive tree was 
									so important that has been mentioned several 
									times in the Iliad, the Odyssey and the 
									Bible.
									
									Throughout the Mediterranean basin, olive 
									oil has been used for thousands of years as 
									a source of youth, beauty and health.
									
									It was blended with herbs and essences to 
									prepare ointments for different therapeutic 
									and cosmetic uses. It was also used for 
									religious purposes. In pre-biblical 
									religions it was consecrated and offered to 
									the gods. Israelites, since the time of 
									Moses, burn it in the lamps of the 
									synagogues and use it to prepare ointments. 
									Orthodox-Christians use it in the holy 
									unction used in ceremonies such as baptism.
									
									Today, Jordan is one of the main producers 
									of olive oil, this latter production is of 
									very high quality due to the ideal growing 
									conditions of the trees (solitude, rocky 
									fields, dry hot summers, and rainy winters) 
									and to the method used to extract the oil. 
									This method has been passed on from father 
									to son in families that have made olives and 
									olive oil their business and way of living.