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Olive

The olive is a small fruit that grows on the Olea europaea, a traditional tree in the Mediterranean Basin. The word "olive" is derived from Latin oliva, and it is known as זית (zayit) in Hebrew, aceituna in Spanish, olive in French, and ulivo in Italian. Olives are a key component of Mediterranean cuisine and are often processed into olive oil, a staple in many cultures. The fruit is typically bitter and astringent when picked from the tree, but it becomes edible and flavorful after processing. Olives are also significant in various cultural and religious contexts, symbolizing peace, wisdom, and purity. The tree itself is highly resilient and can live for hundreds of years, making it a symbol of longevity and endurance.

Wikipedia Information
Olive
Species of flowering plant
Olive
The olive is a species of subtropical evergreen tree in the family Oleaceae. Originating in Asia Minor, it is abundant throughout the Mediterranean Basin, with wild subspecies in Africa and western Asia; modern cultivars are traced primarily to the Near East, Aegean Sea, and Strait of Gibraltar. The olive is the type species for its genus, Olea, and lends its name to the Oleaceae plant family, which includes lilac, jasmine, forsythia, and ash. The olive fruit is classed botanically as a drupe, similar in structure and function to the cherry or peach. The term oil—now used to describe any viscous water-insoluble liquid—was originally synonymous with olive oil, the liquid fat derived from olives.
Last modified: 2025-11-13T02:58:59ZView full article on Wikipedia