The olive tree, called Olea Europaea,  was in ancient times, a religious, medicinal and beauty symbol with varied uses such as lubricant, fuel for lamps and food. Although it was brought to the Iberian Peninsula by Phoenician  and Greeks in the first Centuries BC, it was the Roman Empire who work with the crops improving the techniques of oil production.

These techniques and growth were even more improved and expanded respectively during the Arabic occupation in Spain. This is why the Spanish word for oil “aceite” comes from the Arabic "al-zait" (olive juice).

Later, the Olea Europaea was taken to America by the Spanish during the XVI and XVII  Centuries and nowadays, it is found in California and in different parts of South America.