Olive

Wherever you go in North Cyprus, you will for sure come across many things made with olive oil, particularly of course souvenirs such as olive oil soaps, shower gels, shampoos and conditioners, face masks, and moisturizers. Little bottles of olive oil are a very popular gift to be able to take back home too.

In history, the olive was said to be so valuable that it was used as a form of currency, or that to be anointed by olive oil was a very worthy and honorable thing. They were given as gifts, as they still are today. Used as an ingredient in essential oils and in the olden days even embalming and preserving bodies, involved the use of the oil of olives. Their presence in North Cyprus dates back to around 4,000 years and each tree takes around 10 years to mature and bear fruit. Some trees have been measured with around 10 meters of trunk – truly statuesque! All over North Cyprus, you will find olive trees, some wild and some not, and there are plenty of ancient ones too, with huge girths indicating their 100s of years status. They are part of the beautiful heritage of the island. They also need good management too, to be able to produce their fruit successfully, year after year.

Olive season in North Cyprus generally starts in October, when everyone will be informed that it is time to start harvesting. Driving through the countryside you will see many families setting out their sheets and blankets under the trees, shaking their sticks in the branches to dislodge the olives. A few people now have the help of a machine that gently shakes the trees, but it is always nice to see things done the traditional way. The first harvest is generally the green olive with the darker olives being harvested later on. The season can actually continue until January or even March time depending on the success of the particular season.

So, there you have it, as you can see, the olive still plays a very valuable place in the great scheme of things, used in so many ways, whilst still being an enjoyable food for us all to enjoy! If you are visiting or even living here, then take the time to appreciate the olive season in North Cyprus – both for its uses and for eating! The annual Olive Festival, held in Zeytinlik every October, also celebrates this wonderful symbol of Cyprus so pay a visit if you can.