Olive oil is “Our Present, Past and Future”
Olive tree cultivation and olive oil production has been with humankind since time immemorial, according to evidence that provide the artefacts and archaeological remains of the most ancient civilisations. The olive has been an integral part of life in the eastern Mediterranean from the first stirrings of civilisation. There are stone mortars and presses used for olive oil extraction that date back to 5000 BC. Archaeological findings from the Minoan Palaces in Crete are fine examples of olive oil’s role in the Cretan or Minoan civilisation, which reached its zenith between 2000 and 1450 BC.
![]() |
Olive grove in Zante |
Olives |
Zakynthian Family collecting Olives |
Greeks collect the olives during the winter months. They usually start in November and they finish in January. Collecting the olives it’s not easy as the weather conditions makes it harder. Also it requires all the family to participate as it a demanding job to do. The past few year’s farmers use advanced equipment in order to make it easier to collect the olives.
The olive Tree it’s a holy tree for Greeks. Greeks use Olive oil in many different ways. We use it in our cooking, in our salads, e.g Greek Salad, we use it to make various cosmetics like soaps, creams etc. We also use the woods from olive trees to keep us warm in the winter.
Zakynthian family collecting olives |
Olive Oil production In Zante
Olive Oil has been the main agricultural product of Zakynthos Island for hundreds of years. In Zakynthos today, there are 8500 families of farms 3,000 of which have farming as their only source of income. From the 100,000 acres of arable land, the 1000 are olives groves which are commonly referred to as “liostasia”
There are approximately 1,700,000 olive trees in Zante. The average annual production of olive oil in Zakynthos is 6,000 -8,000 tons.
The Zakynthians are tightly bound to their land, the natural environment, rural life and oil cultivation and production. During the oil picking period “liotrivi” in autumn and winter, the locals experience a traditional ritual. Olive oil is for us: Our present, our past and our future.
![]() |
Olives in sack |
![]() |
Olive oil production - Zante |
![]() |
Olive oil production Zante |
![]() |
Olive oil production - Zante |
Ask us, we are locals!
We’re from Zakynthos, and we’re ready to book your next dreamy holidays on our island! Ask us about accommodation, trips and resorts anywhere on this Mediterranean paradise. Let’s have a chat so we can start planning a fabulous Greek Island escape now. Get in touch anytime from 9 am to 12 midnight (Eastern European Time):
Telephone (landline): +30 26950 29700 - 41480
Chat (WhatsApp or Viber): +30 698 5014 338
Facebook messenger or voice chat
E-mail: info@zantehotels4u.com
Contact form on our website
Follow us on Facebook, twitter, Pinterest & Instagram for great tips, ideas and insights
Telephone (landline): +30 26950 29700 - 41480
Chat (WhatsApp or Viber): +30 698 5014 338
Facebook messenger or voice chat
E-mail: info@zantehotels4u.com
Contact form on our website
Follow us on Facebook, twitter, Pinterest & Instagram for great tips, ideas and insights