Olive oil is taken from the fruit of the olive tree, a tree that is native to the Mediterranean region. The oil is used in cooking, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and even as fuel to burn oil lamps. Olive oil is used through out the world but it is used for cooking purposes mainly in the Mediterranean region. Some times the trees are cultivated by following international standards of organic cultivation. Oil got from such trees is considered to be organic olive oil. The richness, flavor and color of organic olive oil are considered to be better than regular or non-organic olive oil.

Today the number of olive trees grown and cultivated number somewhere around 750 million but only a small percentage of that is grown organically. This is the reason why it is generally more expensive compared to inorganic oil. Most of the globally exported olive oil comes from the Mediterranean region, especially, Italy, France, Spain, and Greece. Spain exports the most amount of olive oil, some 45 percent of the total output. The U.S is a fairly late entrant in the cultivation of olive oil. Nevertheless there is a vibrant olive growing trend happening there especially organic olive oil.

Even though the total output of olive oil from the U.S is still relatively low, there is a big trend there for organically grown foods, more than most countries, which has led to a proportionately higher out put of organically grown olive oils. The olives are picked just before they ripen and are cold pressed to maximize polyphenol extraction. Polyphenol is a potent anti-oxidant and it is also gives the oil a great flavor. Most of the organic olive oil grown in the U.S is cultivated in California. Good quality organic olive oil will have a green color with pungent and spicy undertones.

But it is not only for cooking that organic olive oil is used. It is also used widely in cosmetics and medicinal use. In cosmetics it is used in body care products such as soap. It is also popular to apply it on the body, this helps with moisturizing the body, a good remedy for those who have dry skin. There are even organic soaps made from certified organic olive oil.