In the U.S., more and more people are starting to discover what Mediterranean peoples have known for—literally—7,000 years: the wonders of olive oil. Homer called it “liquid gold”; the ancient Greeks said that the goddess Athena had created olives; King David hired guards to protect Israel’s olive groves and warehouses.

Ancient peoples used olive oil not just for consumption and cooking, but as perfume, anointment for the dead, soap, lights, even medicine (Hippocrates even listed 60 different ailments that he said olive oil could help!).