Learning Resources
Olive Oil
Palestinian olive oil is handpicked and made from unsprayed, tree-ripened olives, and is “stoned-crushed” and “ cool-pressed,” through an all-natural process that has been used for centuries. The rich taste and color of the olive oil reflects their proud tradition, making Palestinian olive oil one of the most pure, if not the purist olive oil in the world.
Palestinian farmers have never used pesticides or chemicals in their olive tree orchards, or the trees themselves. It is by definition, organic, having no need for added preservatives, solvents, bleaches, or dyes in any of the growing, harvesting and manufacturing processes.
The trees that produce this oil are among the oldest in the world. Unlike many mass-produced oils, Palestinian olive oil is not derived from a plantation of trees. Our orchards are sporadic and naturally grown, and Palestinians must endure harvesting inefficiencies most modern olive oil companies would not accept. The result is the truest oil you can buy.
Made By Hand… By Tradition
After the long and tedious efforts of picking the olives from the trees, the olives are sorted and only those selected are transported by mule to an olive mill. The cool-extraction method is used to retrieve the olive oil from the fruit. The traditional method of extracting olive oil from the fruit is virtually the same today as it has been for thousands of years, with a few advancements in technology to ensure current-day food handling standards are met.
The first process of the extraction begins with giant stones, weighing several tons, which crush the olives and pits into a mash. Special compressors are then used to extract the oil from the fruit. The oil is then filtered at low temperatures that retain a pure and rich flavor in the end product. Other olive oils are “ bland” by comparison and lack the “peppery bite” and slight hint of bitterness found in Palestinian olive oil.
Traditionally, Palestinian olive oil was often cloudy, with bits of olive leaves and fruit remaining in the oil. With the improved filtering techniques over the decades, Palestinians created much clearer oil, but still uses less filtering than typical mass-produced olive oils to preserve the phytonutrients within.
Minimally filtered olive oil has a slightly more robust, less refined, or “rustic” flavor than heavily filtered oils, and is often preferred in the Mediterranean region. With increasing media attention to the benefits of the Mediterranean diet, Americans are slowly catching on to the true value of our offering.
Science Proves Olive Oil is a Necessity in Your Diet
Olive oil brings much more than flavor to your diet as more and more research supports the numerous health benefits of olive oil. Because of the daily use of olive oil in the Mediterranean diet, it is no surprise that is linked to good health. Their scant use of butter and meat has been shown to reduce the chance of getting certain cancers. Olive oil delivers one of the “ good fats” in the diet, those categorized as monounsaturated fatty acids. The key compound, commonly referred to as oleic acid, or omega-9 has been linked to many positive health benefits.
Because fish is a large portion of the Mediterranean iet, they also consume omega-3 fatty acids, shown to reduce inflammation that is attributed to heart and cancer risks. High consumption of fruits and vegetables also provides them with many phytochemicals (natural plant-based chemicals) that are attributed to rotecting blood vessels. The compounds within vegetables and fruit also have been shown to guard cells against cancer-causing substances. More studies now indicate that olive oil may help bolster each of these benefits and more.
Another study showed that once a person switches to the Mediterranean diet, their risk of fatal heart attack is reduced by 50% in just two to four years after their diet change. We are now learning what tradition has always told us – by using olive oil as a principal dietary fat, increasing vegetable intake, and limiting meat and dairy foods influences attributed body fat distribution, with less fat stored around the stomach. Recent studies also have shown that the health benefits of olive oil can lower the risk of coronary heart disease by reducing blood cholesterol levels.
Other prominent studies indicate many of the following items:
- Olive oil reduces the possibilities of embolism in blood artilleries and helps keep the cholesterol rate in balance
- Olive oil is rich in lipid acids, known to help the cholesterol to dissolve in the blood – more than any other vegetable oil
- Olive oil also helps to protect the stomach from ulcers in virtue of the fact that it has the lowest acidity rate, which in turn activities the gallbladder
- After human conception, compounds within olive oil help develop the nervous system, the embryos and the infant's brain
- Olive can be easily digested compared to other oils
- Olive oil increases the level of mineral salts and contains many nutritious and healthy vitamins, which prevents headaches, stomachaches, kidney and nervous system problems.
Olive Wood Carvings
The olive tree has been referred to as the “Tree of Life” since the biblical era, often referred to as a sign of peace between God and mankind. Our family owned business brings you the finest olive wood creations direct from the Holy Land. These gifts are hand carved by more than 200 artisans in the Bethlehem and Jerusalem area.
Deep rooted in Christian traditions, the people of these areas have long been famous for their olive woodcarvings. Olive wood is distinguished by its warm texture and distinct characteristics that make it unlike any other type of wood.
Olive tree wood has been used in Bethlehem since the early Christian era. In addition to the famous Christian devotional objects, we carry other unique and sophisticated items such as Christmas cribs, candleholders, framed mirrors, caravans, camels and other animals.
What is the Olive tree?
The olive tree is native to the Holy Land and has been cultivated since ancient times. Because it can live and produce fruit for 2000 years or more, it is a symbol of the tenacity of life. According to historians, the first olive groves began in the Holy Land and along the coast of the Eastern Mediterranean around 4,000 B.C.
The olive tree is the only symbol that represents the Holy Land and all three religions (Judaism, Islam and Christianity). According to the Holy Land elders, "the olive tree stands as a perfect personification of man's historical memory in the Holy Land.” It is the tree with the highest endurance and longstanding fruitful capacity, making it a sign of peace between God and mankind.
What are Olive Tree Creations?
The use of olive tree wood dates back thousands of years. The manufacturing of products first appeared with the arrival of pilgrims from abroad to the Holy Land. They came to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem and the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem. According to history, fifteenth century artists from Italy brought their skills and practices to Bethlehem, where the men quickly learned and excelled in the art.
The art of carving is a very detailed and intricate process. After the olive wood is gathered, carvers cut the wood into smaller pieces. This way the carvers have more control over the wood when they begin carving.
The carving process requires several stages, each of which are equally important to the final product. In the primary stage, the wood is carved into seemingly abstract, primary shapes. After the primary form has been created, gifted craftsmen carve the details such as faces and bodies. When the carvers have finished carving, sand paper is used to smooth the object and to take off the rough surfaces and edges.
After the creation has been sandpapered, a special lacquer is sprayed on the wood to protect it. The olive wood is unique because of the many different grains it is composed of. Therefore, every creation carries it own special features and no two creations are the same.
The last stage of this process ends with delicately carving and completing the essential details. This process can be very tedious and time consuming. This process requires very attention of the most skilled and talented artisans to finish the end product. Because of their efforts, are we able to provide you with priceless olive wood treasures that help bring A Touch of the Holy Land to your home.
Unlike the generic plastic gifts you may buy each year, our products are handmade directly in the Holy Land. Each of our carvings is exquisite, unique and exceptional. Our products give your home a touch and personality that other products in comparison fail to do.
You will find that our creations made out of Olive wood, make great holiday gifts. They are also great gifts for any other occasion year round. Our creations also make great household products.
Fair Trade
Because the olive oil in our product falls under the Fair trade Federation, Palestinian farmers are ensured full market value for their efforts. Your purchase of this oil is not only experiencing a quality olive oil, but also investing in and enhancing the quality of life for the Palestinian farmers and their families. By contributing to the stabilization of Palestinian economy, you are helping us bring peace that is much needed and desired in the Holy Land.
I know first-hand how proud Palestinians are of their time-honored tradition of producing the most pure and rich olive oil on the planet. An as a native of Palestine, I share their pride. As a child, I shared in the harvest of olives, where I endured long days of hard, tedious work alongside everyone in our community. Now as a proud American citizen, my passion is to share the experience and gifts of the Holy Land with you. Thank you for taking the time to experience our products!
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