Olive capital: Azerbaijan revives an ancient business

Baku is slowly but surely making its way to the club of world leaders in the production of olive oil. The country is massively planting olive groves and re-learning how to squeeze oil and money from the ancient fruit. The world history of olive oil began six thousand years ago on the island of Crete, where this priceless product was first produced. Since then, the ancient business has spread to the entire Mediterranean coast, and then beyond. The climate of Azerbaijan, suitable for growing trees, contributed to the appearance of Absheron olives, which were considered especially valuable in many countries. Olive groves appeared on the territory of modern Azerbaijan a very long time ago, which is confirmed by the remains of these plants found during the excavations of Absheron and other regions. Over time, olive plantations were lost as a result of medieval wars, and there is no literary information about the development of this culture up to the 17th century inclusive. Currently, ...