Production of olive oilINTRODUCTIONOlive oil is a pale yellow to greenish oil extracted from the fruit of the European olive tree (Olea europaea L.), native to Mediterranean basin. The olive tree is native to the eastern Mediterranean region, but the cultivated form is now grown throughout this region and in other parts of the world with Mediterranean-type climates. It hardens at refrigerator temperature - about 10 degrees F. Today, there is certainly a market for olive oil, as the United States imports about 35 million gallons of it each year. Interest in the health aspects of olive oil is growing and demand increases every year. Demand has increased by more than 20% each year for the past 5 years. California produces about 300,000 gallons of oil each year, about half of which is sold each year as a gourmet treat classified as extra virgin and sold for $10 to $40 per half gallon. Among global producers, Spain leads with more than 40% of global production. production, followed by Italy and Greece. Much of the Spanish harvest is exported to Italy, where it is both consumed and repackaged for sale abroad as Italian olive oil. Different qualities of olive oil Extra virgin olive oil comes from the first pressing of olives and contains no more than 0.8% acidity. , and is judged to have superior taste. There cannot be any refined oil in extra virgin olive oil. Virgin olive oil with an acidity of less than 2% and considered to be of good taste. There cannot be any refined oil in virgin olive oil. Olive oil is a mixture of virgin oil and refined virgin oil, containing at most 1% acidity. It generally lacks a pronounced flavor. Olive pomace oil is a mixture of refined olive pomace oil and possibly virgin oil. It is fit for consumption, but it cannot be in the middle of a paper......set a person or place apart for special work. It is used in the ordination of priests and bishops, in the consecration of altars and churches and, traditionally, during the anointing of monarchs at their coronations. To this day, Eastern Orthodox Christians use oil lamps in their churches and in prayer corners at home.BIBLIOGRAPHY1. http://www.wikipedia.org2. http://www.olivetree.eat-online.net/frameoliveoil.htm3. http://www.oliflix.com/eng/enviroment.htm4. http://www.oliveoilsource.com/olive_recipes_.htm5. Microsoft® Encarta® Encyclopedia 2002. © 1993-2001 Microsoft Corporation.6. All, J. and L. Ferguson. 1996. Mediterranean Fruits, Progress in New Crops. In: J. Janick (ed.), ASHS Press, Arlington, VA. p. 416-4307. www.sfc.ucdavis.edu/research/olive.html8. www.ucm.es/info/improliv/allgem.htm9. http://www.encyclopedia.com/html/o1/oliveoil.asp