Food
and cooking tips and techniques:
What
am I?
Name
that . . . -
for the answer scroll to the end
(22nd
October 2001)
This
long lived subtropical evergreen tree has been cultivated
for at least 5,000 years, and recently some seeds have
been uncovered in Spain that have been carbon-dated
to be 8,000 years old. The tree is usually medium in
height, about 25 feet, but some trees may grow to 60
feet. The are very long-lived, with some living more
than 500 years. They are also very tenacious, sprouting
back even if chopped right to ground level.
In
order to produce flowers and fruit, the tree must undergo
temperatures of 45 degrees F. for 2 to 3 months. The
trees grow beautifully luxuriant in tropical climates,
but produce no fruit. The small fruits can be round
or oblong, dark purple and very bitter at maturity.
The fruit is classified as a drupe, similar to the peach
or plum.
Today
the tree is grown in South America, the Mediterranean
area, the United States, Australia and South Africa.
The
product of processing the fruits was highly prized for
soaps and perfumes. Cato tells us it was used as a weed
killer and insecticide. Other uses have been as a lubricant
for axles, a salve on chapped skin and on wounds, and
a remedy for upset stomach.
One
final clue from Lawrence Durrell: "A taste older
than meat, older than wine. A taste as old as cold water."
 This
article is from Chef James Ehler of Key West, Florida.
James
is a webmaster, cook, chef, writer and (like me) a self-confessed
computer nerd. He is the former executive chef of Martha's
Steak & Seafood Restaurant and the former Reach Hotel
(both in Key West), the Hilton Hotel in Fayetteville,
Arkansas, and the New Bern Golf and Country Club, North
Carolina.
He
is now webmaster and cook at the Blue Heaven Restaurant
in Key West while he works on his Food Encyclopedia
(five years so far). It is well worth paying a visit
to James' food reference website which is a useful resource
well worth Bookmarking - to visit either website just
click on their title:
The
Food Reference Website
The
Blue Heaven Restaurant, Key West, Florida
If
you want to contact James just email him by clicking
here.
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The
answer : The
Olive Tree
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©
James T. Ehler, 2001
All rights reserved
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