num_pages: 125
description: Olives are at once a mythical foodbringing to mind scenes from ancient Rome and the Bibleand an everyday food given the ubiquity of olive oil in contemporary diets. In this succinct and engaging history Fabrizia Lanza traces the olives roots from antiquity when olive oil was exalted for ritual purposes and used to anoint kings and athletes to the sixteenth century when Europeans brought the olive to the New World to the present day when thanks to waves of immigration and the popularity of the healthy Mediterranean diet the fruit has successfully conquered our palate. Lanza describes the role that olive trees olives and their oil have played in myths legends and literature as well as in the everyday lives of people living throughout the Mediterranean. Also included is a global selection of recipes featuring olives and olive oil that showcase the fruits culinary diversity. A concise appendix of popular olive varieties organized by country rounds out this informative account. Featuring a wealth of historical detail useful descriptions and delicious recipes this book will change how you think about that bottle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil you reach for out of habit and swirl into the pan.
language: English
title: Olive: A Global History
publisher: Reaktion Books