Every year, September 30th is celebrated as a very special holiday. It’s a day dedicated to one of the purest and most desirable forms of olive oil: extra virgin olive oil. This day is known simply as National Extra Virgin Olive Oil Day, and it’s celebrated by buying and using this special oil—an oil that is not only useful in any number of dishes but is also quite healthy.

Pure extra virgin olive oil is high in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory polyphenols, and cholesterol-lowering monounsaturated fatty acids. It’s an oil with a fruity flavor that contains just the slightest hints of pungency in its background profile.

It can be used for sautéing and frying, for marinades and sauces, and can even be used to make salad dressings and homemade mayonnaise. It’s this versatility that has earned a simple oil made from cold-pressed olives its own holiday.

The History Of National Extra Virgin Olive Oil Day

The cultivation of olives and the pressing of these olives into oil can be traced back many thousands of years. Olive oil was first made and used in the Mediterranean basin around 6000 BCE and quickly spread throughout the Mediterranean and among the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Phoenicia.

In Egypt, it was used not only for cooking but also to manufacture cosmetics. It was also used as a “holy oil” for religious rituals as well. Olive oil was used in much the same ways in ancient Greece and Rome. They used it for cooking, cosmetics, and for religious ceremonies.

The Greeks and Romans considered olives, and the oil made from them, to be gifts from the gods. This is why the Romans spread olives and olive oil throughout the Empire, including parts of North Africa and Spain. During the Middle Ages, olive oil continued to be an important oil, especially in the Mediterranean.

It was traded heavily by the cities of Florence, Genoa, and Venice, and it was widely traded throughout the rest of Europe. Today, olive oil is produced by a variety of countries around the world. Unfortunately, while the history of olive oil is well documented, the history of this holiday isn’t.

It doesn’t appear that we know when this holiday was created or who created it. If we had to venture a guess, we would probably say that it was invented by either the olive oil industry or by an individual company that produces olive oil.

Observing National Extra Virgin Olive Oil Day

Since we don’t know the intention of who created this holiday, it can be hard to determine how it’s supposed to be celebrated. Even so, we can make a few educated guesses as to how it should be observed.

We believe that this is a day to learn more about olive oil, make a few dishes with olive oil, and maybe even buy that bottle of extra virgin olive oil you’ve always wanted to add to your pantry.