Save icon on your desktop


Spartan Rolling Hills-Certified Organic since 2006--We can ship overland to anywhere in the world.

"Bringing the very highest quality products to the everyday table."

To order or ask about our fantastic regular or organic olive olive oil or olives email  or call  John at 1-416-826-7875 or

Nick at 1-647-321-6451

History of the Olive Tree

The Olive was a native to Asia Minor and spread from Iran, Syria and Palestine to the rest of the Mediterranean 6,000 years ago.  It is among the oldest known cultivated trees in the world.   It was being grown on Crete by 3,000 BC and may have been the source of the wealth of the Minoan kingdom. 


The Phoenicians spread the olive to the Mediterranean shores of Africa and Southern Europe. Olives have been found in Egyptian tombs from 2000 years BC.  The olive culture was spread to the early Greeks then Romans.  As the Roman empire extended they brought the olive with them.


The use of oil is found in many religions and cultures. It has been used during special ceremonies and as a general health measure. During baptisms and funerals, in the Greek Orthodox Christian church, olive oil is be used.  Like the grape, the Christian missionaries brought the olive tree with them to many parts of the world for food but also for ceremonial use. Olive oil was used to anoint the early kings of the Greeks and Jews. The Greeks anointed winning athletes in the ancient Olympics. 




Myth or Fact?

Athens, the Greek Capital,  is named for the Goddess Athena who brought the olive to the Greeks as a gift.   Zeus had promised to give Attica to the god or goddess who made the most useful invention.  Athena's gift of the olive, useful for light, heat, food, medicine and perfume was picked as a more peaceful invention than Poseidon's horse.  Athena planted the original olive tree on a rocky hill which we know today as the Acropolis.  The olive tree which grows there today is said to have come from the roots of the original tree.   Myth or Fact!


Health & Nutritional Information

Olive oil brings so much delicious Mediterranean flavour to salads, fresh fish, poultry and vegetables. And if that were not enough, it is rich in Vitamin E and high grade monounsaturated fatty acids - so it promotes a healthy life.


Olive oil helps to lower cholesterol and to reduce the risk of heart disease. Comforting isn't it, to know that something you like is good for you!


For centuries the Greeks have prized oil for its therapeutic benefits and believed it to be the secret to beauty and longevity.  Studies show that extra virgin olive oil reduces many health risks from heart disease and diabetes to breast and prostrate cancer.


Olive oil's main benefit is cardiovascular. Of all the commonly available oils, olive oil is the highest in lower cholesterol  This type of fat is known to lower blood cholesterol levels. Olive oil is also an excellent source of antioxidants, which protect the heart.


The body easily absorbs olive oil so readily absorbs Vitamin E and phenols which prevent the oxidization of fatty tissue. Experts have suggested that this because it is high in monounsaturated fat.


Olive oil should be used in everyday cooking. It can be used in salads or added to any recipe. It is perfect even for frying. Olive oil is the healthiest oil with no cholesterol and rich in vitamins.


Medical studies indicate that Mediterranean countries particularly Greece where olive oil consumption is high have less cardiovascular disease than any other country.


Can olive oil reduce the effects of aging?

A major cause of the degeneration of cells is the accumulation of free radicals which are produced by the oxidization of the fatty tissues of the body.


Vitamin E, phenols and other antioxidizing substances protect the human body from the negative effects of free radicals. Olive oil contains a high percentage of phenols and Vitamin E and as a result helps delay the aging process.


Is olive oil an aphrodisiac?

An added benefit of using olive oil in your daily diet is that Vitamin E improves your sex life.


Olive oil prevents heart attacks?

Studies in Mediterranean countries have shown that heart disease is lower than would be expected by cholesterol levels. Many feel that this can be explained by the high olive oil content in the diet of the region.

Research into whether olive oil reduces the blood's clotting ability which would in turn mean fewer heart attacks showed that levels of blood coagulation factor were significantly lower in those who ate olive oil as part of their diet. The study's conclusion was that olive oil may lower the procoagulant tendency of fatty meals which could explain the low incidence of heart attacks in Mediterranean countries such as Greece.


Olive oil protect against colon cancer?

Studies on animals have shown that diets high in fats increase the risk of colon cancer. Tests using olive oil to see if it could safeguard against colon cancer compared to other oils showed that the use of olive oil lowers the incidence of bowel tumours.


Although it is not clear what specific property of olive oil has this effect those undertaking the study suggested it may be partly due to a lowering of inflammation chemicals in the gut. Olive oil has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects in several other studies. Studies also suggest that olive oil can decrease the incidence of breast cancer.


Olive oil prevents atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis is a disease of the walls of the arteries where fats are deposited and inflamation changes causes scarring and narrowing, which can eventually cause clots and total blockage.


Blockages can cause strokes and heart attacks. High levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood accelerate the fat deposits while HDL cholesterol seems to be protective.


More than 750 million olive trees are cultivated world wide, the greatest number (95%) being planted in the regions of the Mediterranean. About 75% of the global olive oil production comes from the European Union, while around 97% of European production comes from Spain, Italy and Greece. About 85% of Greek olive oil is early harvested or agourelaio olive oil...the best olive oil is early harvested. Italian and Spanish olive oils are 50% or less early harvested.


The history of olive oil in Greece goes back into the centuries and even today thousands of Greek families are occupied in its production. Greece is the third largest olive oil producing country after Spain and Italy.  The competitive advantage of Greek olive oil in relation to that of other countries is its fine and pure quality. Greek law does not allow for blending or olive oils.


One of the characteristics of the Greek olive oil industry is the existence of a large number small sized, family run businesses, which are set up in oil producing areas. Spartan Rolling Hills Ltd is such a business. During the period of 1998 / 99, a total of 2,500 businesses were in operation.   About 2 / 3 of Greek Olive Oil production is from the Peloponnese , the home of Spartan Rolling Hills and the island of Crete .


Greek exports of olive oil for the last decade are estimated between 20 and 40 thousand tonnes annually. The main target countries for Greek olive husk oil are the countries of the European Union. Companies in these countries import unprocessed olive husk oil, process it and usually mix it with seed oil and export it, something which is prohibited in Greece by law.


Source:  Athens Chamber of Commerce & Industry




Spartan Rolling Hills distributes only 100% First Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Regular and Organic Olive Oil and Olives from family owned and operated olive groves or those of local family members and friends located in the Peloponese near the city of Sparti, Laconia.


Contact us today by email or by phone. Nick at 1-647-321-6451 or John at 1-416-826-7875.  

We can ship to anywhere in the world.



Home | About Us | History | Products | Recipes | Contact Us
  Copyright © 2008 Spartan Rolling Hills
All Rights Reserved