In the Mediterranean, olive oil is more than an ingredient. It’s a way of life. For thousands of years, the humble olive has been used for everything under the sun. It’s been made into a cooking oil, a holy offering, a balm, a bite-sized snack, and even sunscreen. Today, we’re taking you to the ancient Greek isle of Crete to explore the early life of one of the oldest living olive trees in the world and to uncover its sacred relationship with the Minoan people. We’ll then follow olive oil’s influence from past to present with a guided tasting from an olive oil sommelier. Plus, we share a few tips on how to choose and store your olive oil, and a roasted olive recipe that will be the star at your next dinner party.

Hosted by Claudia Hanna

Episode Guests:

-Diane Kochilas (Cookbook author, Host of My Greek Table)

-Tassos Kyriakides (Olive Oil Sommelier & Associate Professor, Yale School of Public Health)

-Anaya Sarpaki (Archaeologist and Olive Oil Preservationist)

Recipe:

Roasted Black Olives

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