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what olives mean to my people:
i am muslim, i am palestinian, and i was raised in jordan. it's hard to find other cultures that value olives as much as these. some of the oldest olive trees in the world can be found in this region. our people have cultivated these trees since before roman times. but why olives?
olives hold deep cultural and religious significance in islam. referenced in the quran as a blessed fruit, they symbolize purity and goodness, and olive oil plays a vital role in culinary traditions and medicinal practices. the olive tree itself is regarded as sacred, and the act of planting an olive tree is considered virtuous in many islamic societies. the quran mentions the olive tree and its fruit in several verses that highlight its significance and blessings, but the olive trees of al-aqsa mosque in jerusalem have a particularly high status - these olive trees are so blessed that Allah (God) swears by them in the quran:
olives hold deep cultural and religious significance in islam. referenced in the quran as a blessed fruit, they symbolize purity and goodness, and olive oil plays a vital role in culinary traditions and medicinal practices. the olive tree itself is regarded as sacred, and the act of planting an olive tree is considered virtuous in many islamic societies. the quran mentions the olive tree and its fruit in several verses that highlight its significance and blessings, but the olive trees of al-aqsa mosque in jerusalem have a particularly high status - these olive trees are so blessed that Allah (God) swears by them in the quran:
“by the fig and the olive, and by mount sinai, and by this secure city, We have certainly created man in the most excellent of forms.” (quran 95:1-4)
islamic scholars and commentators of the quran have mentioned that the olive sworn by in these verses is the mosque of jerusalem. because the olives grown within the al-aqsa mosque hold such a high quranic status, they are seen as truly priceless, and they are never sold. their oil is always only gifted, mostly to poor families who live in jerusalem.
it’s also mentioned in the hadith (prophetic teachings) of the prophet muhammad (PBUH). he said “eat oil of olives and use it on your hair and skin, for it comes from a blessed tree”. olive oil has been used for centuries in prophetic medicine as a natural remedy for a range of ailments. its health benefits have been well documented in traditional medicine, and now our modern medicine can explain and attest to what the quran and hadith reference as blessings.
from this resilient tree, we gain so much.
the fruit
1 - in the culinary world, the flavor of the olive is complex and can be used in many ways - from eating them on the side with different seasonings and marinades, to adding them to food (like in our kalamata olive toum).
2 - in terms of health, eating olives helps with:
cardiovascular health - olives contain oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid that can lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
antioxidants - olives contain vitamin E and other antioxidants that can neutralize free radicals in the body, which may reduce the risk of cancer, diabetes, stroke, and heart disease.
skin health - vitamin E and oleic acid in olives can help keep skin soft and healthy, and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
digestion - regular consumption of olives can help relieve constipation and keep the digestive tract healthy.
inflammation - olives contain oleocanthal, a compound with anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce pain for people with arthritis or other chronic inflammatory diseases.
iron - black olives are a good source of iron, and eating 10–12 olives per day can help maintain healthy iron levels.
the oil
1 - in the culinary world, EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) is widely considered one of the best oils to use in cooking as it adds flavor and is good for you!
2 - in terms of health, consuming olive oil helps with:
heart health - studies show that olive oil may improve blood vessel health, reduce blood pressure and inflammation, and help prevent blood clots.
brain health - the healthy fats in olive oil may help improve memory and cognitive function, and may even reduce the risk of alzheimer's disease.
3 - olive oil is also used to make soaps. since olive oil is rich in antioxidants and monounsaturated fats, it can help moisturize and treat dry skin.
the wood
yes, even the wood! olive wood is used to make one of my favorite meals in jordan that’s called zarb! zarb is lamb and/or chicken with some veggies and rice thats cooked underground using olive wood as the fuel for the fire. you should definitely try it if you find yourself in jordan.
olive wood also has a rich history of being the object of intricate craftsmanship. originating in bethlehem, palestinian artisans have honed their skills in the art of carving olive wood over centuries, which traces its roots back thousands of years, intertwining with the region's rich history and the story of its people. these techniques have been passed down from generation to generation. this tradition of craftsmanship is precise, and has been practiced to make pieces that are used in everyday life until today, from plates, bowls, and kitchen utensils, to cultural and religious ornaments.
the wood also has a beautiful and colorful appearance, making it the perfect material for decorative objects. easily identifiable, olive wood has distinctively dark brown lines and yellowish-brown streaks and can be polished to a high shine. when olive wood is cut, it releases an aroma of freshness and sweetness into the air. this scent is particularly appealing and pleasant and can remain on a piece made with olive wood for many years to come!
ways me and my family use olives and olive oil throughout our everyday life:
1 - i use only olive oil soap to clean my hands and my body when i take a shower. shout out to trinitae, which is an amazing skin care store in amman. also shout out to palestinian soap cooperative.
2 - eating olives. one of my favorite memories is eating breakfast with my dad. a simple breakfast - we put olives in a bowl, add a dollop of shatta on top, and drown in olive oil. then, get another bowl of zaatar and get a piece of bread. dip the bread into the olive oil and shatta mixture, then dip into the zaatar and eat, and then pop an olive in your mouth. simple, but delicious.
3 - kalamata olive toum! shameless plug of our delicious toum - throw it on anything and enjoy!
4 - adding olive oil on our dips like hummus, mutabal, foul, musabaha , labneh, and much more. they all benefit from a hefty drizzle of olive oil before digging in, so don't be shy with the pouring when you do this at home.
5 - cooking! just as long as you don't go over 400F, you should cook with olive oil! it will add a tasty layer of flavor to whatever you're cooking.
thank you to every one of you who continually support our small family business, allow me to share my musings, and give me the opportunity to live my dream by serving our community the food that i love (and live) to eat.
peace, love, and toum,
chef mohammad abutaha
