Lebanon Olives
Lebanon Olives
Lebanon has long been known for producing some of the best olive oils worldwide.
Traditional families operate their groves using traditional farming practices passed down from generation to generation, failing to meet quality standards set forth by the Lebanese Olive Standards Institute.
Early Life and Education
Olive oil is an integral component of Lebanese cuisine and culture, used extensively in regional dishes and recognized as an emblematic representation of their heritage and identity. Unfortunately, however, Lebanese olive oil production often happens without any representation or structure representing farmers’ interests.
To test their hypothesis, the researchers examined the climate preferences of modern and ancient olive trees in Tyre using soil core analysis. Their investigation revealed that when rainfall decreases significantly, olives develop more phenolic compounds and taste fruitier.
Researchers also observed that the phenolic content of oil is greatly influenced by both its geographical source and processing system, suggesting its level could change depending on where and how it’s made. This indicates the possibility that its level may change according to factors like geographical origin or production method.
Professional Career
Olive oil is one of Lebanon’s principal agro-industrial products and an export that enjoyed a trade surplus in 2017. Olive oil has become an integral component of Lebanese cuisine and history; with varied topographies, fertile soils and microclimates enabling farmers to produce distinctively flavored olive oils from Lebanon’s variety of terrain.
Traditional families cultivate their trees using rustic techniques passed down from generation to generation, such as minimal tree pruning, infrequent irrigation and spraying pesticides to combat olive fly.
These producers do not always adhere to international quality standards and their passion often outweighs profitability. These families form the backbone of Lebanon’s olive industry yet continue to struggle as financial turmoil threatens further devastation across Lebanon.
Achievement and Honors
Lebanon is famed as the birthplace of olive trees and boasts an array of olive varieties that produce abundant harvests due to ideal climatic conditions and diverse topographies and soil qualities that allow producers to craft uniquely flavorful olive oils.
Bustan el Zeitoun, a Lebanese producer that has won multiple international awards for their extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), has become renowned for their focus on quality. Produced with Souri olives and boasting an aroma combining green almond and ripe tomato, their product stands out.
Orchards of this company span an impressive 500,000 square meters and feature twelve Italian varieties as well as local cultivars. Additionally, fashionable sustainable and eco-friendly farming techniques have been adopted in order to give the olive bushes the highest care while still retaining the distinct and delightful taste and aroma associated with Lebanese olives and oil.
Personal Life
Every Lebanese person has some connection to olives: from urban residents owning just a few trees in their neighborhood to massive farms out in the country, each knows the role they play in Lebanon’s culture and economy.
Olive oils are well known for their health benefits. Olive oil contains oleocanthal, which has been shown to have anti-cancer properties. Furthermore, its high levels of antioxidants may protect cells against damage.
This particular brand of olive oil comes from Souri olives in Northern Lebanon and comes packaged in elegant tins. Perfect for adding subtle peppery notes to salads or adding as a tasty accompaniment with labneh (strained yoghurt). Plus it’s excellent for your skin!
Net Worth
Olive oil is an integral component of many Lebanese dishes. Packed with nutrients and low in fat content, olive oil is often used in making dishes like hummus, baba ghanoush and pita bread.
Every year in small villages across the country, families harvest olives to be processed into oil for local sale and is an integral component of local economies.
However, this practice isn’t very profitable for farmers. Competing with prices offered by Mediterranean producers can be hard, while Lebanese olive oils have yet to gain international renown. Furthermore, due to lack of public structure within this sector many traditional family producers rely solely on traditions rather than meeting international quality standards.