Since olive oil has been around as long as history is recorded, and given its amazing properties, it is no surprise it has become associated with a whole collection of myths and legends and involved with many religious rituals.

It was the olive branch which the dove came back with to Noah’s ark, and the association with peace and prosperity lives on to this day.

It was the olive tree, and by implication olives and olive oil, which was deemed to be the most valuable gift that could be given to mankind. The legend is that Zeus, head of the Greek gods, organised a competition between them to provide the most precious gift to mankind, and that the winner would be rewarded by having the capital city of Greece named after them.

The two finalists were Poseidon, god of the sea and Athena, god of peace and wisdom. Poseidon thrust his lance into a rock and created a horse able to take people to distant lands and secure victory at war. Athena thrust her lance into the ground and created an olive tree, which she presented to the people of the city as a symbol of great wealth and abundance. They chose her offering and the city was named after her – Athens, today the capital of modern Greece. The olive tree, said to be the subject of the legend, still exists today in the city named after Athena

In all three major religions within the region olive oil occupies a special place. In Islam, for example, Prophet Mohammed says you should “consume olive oil and anoint it upon your bodies since it is of the blessed tree”. It is also believed to cure 70 diseases

In the Christian tradition it is a part of all major rituals (baptism, sickness, blessings, etc) and in both the ordination of clergy and consecration of artefacts. Even more recent branches of Christianity such as Mormons have continued its use for anointing rituals

Finally in the Jewish observance olive oil is the only fuel permitted in the menorah, used in the festival of Hanukah associated with the exodus of the tribes of Israel from Egypt, and later in the permanent temple in Jerusalem.

So, truly an ecumenical oil, established in ancient times, revered by all religions, and with “magical” powers. Can any product be that good?