Oil and Olive: a Mediterranean History You Can Taste Of

Oil and Olive: A Mediterranean History You Can TasteBy Oliver GreysonFrom the acclaimed Voices of History series comes a richly layered journey through the lands where the olive tree shaped empires, diets, and cultures.Explore 8,000 years of Mediterranean tradition, trade, and taste.In Oil and Olive, bestselling author Oliver Greyson—known for The Eternal Vine and A Fragrant Journey—unveils the remarkable story of the olive and its precious oil. From Phoenician groves and Greek stone presses to Roman amphorae and modern Italian DOP labels, this immersive book follows the olive’s path as food, fuel, medicine, and sacred symbol.Travel across sun-drenched landscapes of:Ancient Greece and Rome: Discover how olive oil became the lifeblood of classical civilization.Spain, Italy, and Greece: Witness the rise of regional styles, appellations, and agricultural revolutions.The Levant and North Africa: Explore millennia-old traditions still thriving today, from handpicking to stone grinding.Then turn from past to palate.The second half of the book becomes your kitchen companion with detailed, hands-on guides:✔️ Make your own olive oil infusions with herbs, spices, and citrus✔️ Cure raw olives with time-tested methods—brine, salt, water, or lye✔️ Create tapenades from classic Provencal to bold Mediterranean blends✔️ Brew antioxidant-rich olive leaf tea✔️ Learn how to blind taste olive oil like a professional, test for freshness, and recognize faultsWhether you’re a home cook, history lover, or world traveler, this book will awaken your senses and your curiosity. Rich in storytelling, practical knowledge, and cultural insight, Oil and Olive is a must-have for any lover of the Mediterranean table.