![]() Originally there were scores of beautiful but neglected olive trees at Rancho del Cielo. They had been planted by the previous owners and left to the elements in the salt air, and hot summers with no irrigation. Being olive trees, they survived. Olives exemplify the idea of "drought tolerant," and happily endure the Southern California climate. For several years we watched the fruit ripen and drop to the ground forgotten. Then, an Italian friend, who has his own groves in Liguria, on the Italian Riviera identified our trees. He told us that they had been chosen for their suitability to the rocky soil, seaside climate, and their characteristics for olive oil production. He identified many of the trees for us and inspired us to consider them as more than decorative landscape elements. |
![]() ![]() ![]() In North Africa it is said that if a family has an olive tree, they will never go hungry. To this day, olives are prized, revered, and recognized as one of the healthiest of foods. The history of the venerable olive mirrors the rise of Western civilization. Olea europaea, were first cultivated around 6000 B.C.. Some olive trees are known to be over 2000 years old. The olive tree and its oil were the economic basis for great civilizations. Olive oil was used for food, lighting, skin emollients, and leather preservation. Great ships sailed around the known world with cargos of this liquid gold. Priests, kings and emperors were anointed with it. Gladiators bathed in it. And to this day, the olive branch is the universal symbol of peace. Hopefully, our once-forgotten trees at Rancho del Cielo will also survive for many millennia and give us all the generous gift of a very special olive oil... ![]() |
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