Olive oil facts for kids
Olive oil is a vegetable oil. It is made by getting the juice of the fruits of the olive tree. These are called olives. The oil is used in cooking, as well as cosmetics, traditional medicine, and as a fuel for oil lamps.
Olive oil quality is defined by some parameters that are measured by chemical analysis. One of the most important is acidity. The highest quality olive oil (Extra-Virgin) must feature an acidity lower than 0.8%.
People see it as a healthy addition to their diet because of the high level of unsaturated fats (mainly oleic acid) and polyphenols. Olive oil is popular in Mediterranean countries.
Producers
Spain has more than a third of the world's olive trees, and is the top producer of olive oil in the world.
Images for kids
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Ancient Greek olive oil production workshop in Klazomenai, Ionia (modern Turkey)
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Ancient oil press (Bodrum Museum of Underwater Archaeology, Bodrum, Turkey)
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Olive crusher (trapetum) in Pompeii (79 AD)
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The Manufacture of Oil, 16th century engraving by Jost Amman
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Vinegar and olive oil
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Olives in olive oil
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A cold press olive oil machine in Israel.
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Olive oil mill
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A bottle of Italian olive oil
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Italian label for "extra vergine" oil
See also
In Spanish: Aceite de oliva para niños
