CIU Academician Prof. Dr. İbrahim Baktır, drew attention to the importance of olives and olive products

Cyprus International University (CIU) Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Technologies Dean, Prof. Dr. İbrahim Baktır, speaking within the scope of the 26th November World Olive Tree Day, stated, “Olives and olive oil are indispensable products within Mediterranean cuisine and one of the most important within the Mediterranean Diet. One of the most valuable features of the olive tree is that it is resistant to drought, lime, and salt”.

Advising that the homeland of olives is the Antakya – Mardin line, and that its cultivation across Eastern Mediterranean countries is widespread, including Cyprus, Baktır went on to say, “The olive pits found in the Sunken Ship (389 BC) currently exhibited in the Kyrenia Museum, and the amphorae used in the transportation of olive oil, are a clear indication of the importance of olives and olive products for the island of Cyprus”.

Explaining that of the Olive family, the olive tree is the most important genus of them all, Baktır continued, “Olives are among the trees that live for quite a long length of time. Among different districts within Cyprus, there are many old olive trees that are monumental. The old olive trees within Karşıyaka/Lefke and Kalkanlı are examples of these”.

Pointing out that olives are evaluated in a number of different ways, Baktır went on to state, “Many countries grow olive for their oil. Known as the golden liquid, olive oil is a national value with indisputable health benefits”.

Baktır stated that "çakısdez" is one of the symbols of the island of Cyprus and is a fermented green olive served at the dinner table, and that in recent years, the cultivation of the dwarf Spanish olive varieties with very small fruits and higher oil content has also become widespread, however he noted, it is imperative that the Cyprus olive trees known natively as the wild originated olive trees, must be protected no matter what, no matter the conditions.

Explaining that olives are also utilized in the field of cosmetics, Baktır reminded that since ancient periods, olive leaves have been used to reduce blood pressure and to protect the heart.

Baktır advised that the wood of olive trees have very different veins and thus, is highly attractive to many with its sturdy structure, making it suitable for a number of different purposes, such as furniture.

Highlighting that olive trees are not only used for their products, Baktır stated that in recent years they have frequently been used in urban afforestation, parks and gardens, beaches, and botanical gardens as ornamental trees.