Archaeplastida

The Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil in the Peloponnesian city of Sparta offers fascinating insights into the history of olive cultivation and olive oil production in Greece from prehistoric times to the early 20th century, from their roles in mythology, religion and the economy to art, culture and cuisine. The museum is open every day except Tuesdays and holidays between 10 a.m.

The Chios Mastic Museum reveals how cultivation of the Pistacia lentiscus chia tree has shaped the island's economy, architecture and customs while also showcasing its different uses. Unique to Chios, the tree is the source of gum mastic, a key source of wealth for the island since Byzantine times, when the trees were owned exclusively by the emperor.

Housed in the old communal olive press of Aghia Paraskevi on the island of Lesvos, the Museum of Industrial Olive Oil Production presents the fascinating history of this niche industry in Greece, focusing on the changes brought about by the introduction of modern machinery into the production process and the contribution of the region's inhabitants toward this industrialization.

Evoo World Ranking is an internet site ranking the world's best olive oil. This site gives points to the world's prestigious olive oil quality contests, according to their importance. For example, Mario Solinas is the most prestigious and highest scored contest.

A 7,300-square-meter "Lotus Flower and Bonsai Art Park," which will be home to Turkey's biggest lotus breeding pond with 200 different types of endemic lotus flowers, plants and trees indigenous to the city and a bonsai greenhouse, will be opened by the end of this summer to nature enthusiasts on the northwestern province of Bolu's Alpağutbey neighborhood. 

A 19th century olive oil and soap factory in the northwestern Turkish resort town of Ayvalık will be restored and converted into a wellness center by the local municipality.

The Kırlangıç Olive Oil and Soap factory, a property of the municipality stopped production in 2001.

The question was simple and straightforward: Date or olive?

The answer came swift: either or neither!

I grew old while constantly writing on this topic for many long years and signing one campaign after another, but somehow, the enthusiasm of those who revive and submit the bill to cut down olive trees has not petered out. 

Representatives from Turkey's olive industry met two top officials on June 7 in a bid to halt a contentious draft law, which will make it possible for the building of industrial facilities on olive groves if "public interest" can be imputed under the supervision of a preservation board. 

One of the most favorite hashtags on social media nowadays is "#zeytinimedokunma," meaning "don't touch my olive." This is a hashtag used by everyone who is opposing a bill that will jeopardize the future of olive trees in Anatolia, which is considered the homeland of olives.