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The Olive in California: History of an Immigrant Tree
A symbol of peace, strength, and nourishment, the olive tree has been imbued with a sense of history, place, and charm since its earliest cultivation in the ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean. From the first Spanish ships to touch California's shores to the rise of a thriving industry with hundreds of olive growers and oil makers, THE OLIVE IN CALIFORNIA traces the path of this sturdy, life-giving tree as it developed into a California agricultural phenomenon. With a foreword by Dr. Kevin Starr, State Librarian of California, Dr. Taylor's book is endorsed by the California Historical Society.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 1, 2019
Readable history that focuses on the developers
This is an interesting and handsome history which focuses on the people who initiated and developed the olive oil and canned olive industry in California from pre Junipero Serra times into the 1990s. There are drawings and black and white photos, a chronology, a couple of lists (with comments) of olive oil makers and olive processors in California from 1869 to the present, a list of olive cultivars imported into California (and some synonymous names for the types), a listing of nurseries that provided the trees from 1872, and a solid bibliography.
The material was thoroughly researched by Dr. Taylor and written in a style accessible to academics, professionals, and interested consumers or hobbyists such as myself. She tells the story of how the olive came to California, how the industry developed and how California producers competed with the giants in Spain and Italy, and how the canned ripe olive became, after a scary bout with botulism in 1919, the most important product of the California olive growers, up to the near present day when boutique and upscale California olive oil has become something of a rage—although a major part of this growth has taken place since this book when to publication in 2000. Taylor captures the feel of California’s mission days, the ranchero days, the gold rush days, and the great growth thereafter through an olive-colored lens. She writes about how the trees were cultivated, how the fruit was picked and processed, and how the product compared and compares to the European competition.
I got interested in olive trees after discovering some long abandoned groves in and around the Sacramento, California area. What surprised me was how abundant the fruit even though the trees were untended and overgrown, and had been that way for decades, and even though they were crowded by other types of trees, such as scrub oaks, wild figs, digger pines and others. In many places, including on and around the UC Davis campus, the shady trees heavy with fruit in the fall are like stately ornaments of California’s past. But what a waste to see the dark, ripe olives just fall to the ground to become black greasy spots! Why is this? The main reason is known to anyone who has ever plucked a ripe olive off the tree and taken a bite. It tastes awful! Olives have to be processed, usually in brine with many changes of water before they become edible. And to press the oil from the olive requires equipment, knowledge and skill.
Although this book does go into many aspects of processing, it does not go into enough detail to help the beginning olive enthusiast. I’m still looking for the book that explains the processing techniques explicitly, especially for small producers.
--Dennis Littrell, author of “The World Is Not as We Think It Is”
This is an interesting and handsome history which focuses on the people who initiated and developed the olive oil and canned olive industry in California from pre Junipero Serra times into the 1990s. There are drawings and black and white photos, a chronology, a couple of lists (with comments) of olive oil makers and olive processors in California from 1869 to the present, a list of olive cultivars imported into California (and some synonymous names for the types), a listing of nurseries that provided the trees from 1872, and a solid bibliography.
The material was thoroughly researched by Dr. Taylor and written in a style accessible to academics, professionals, and interested consumers or hobbyists such as myself. She tells the story of how the olive came to California, how the industry developed and how California producers competed with the giants in Spain and Italy, and how the canned ripe olive became, after a scary bout with botulism in 1919, the most important product of the California olive growers, up to the near present day when boutique and upscale California olive oil has become something of a rage—although a major part of this growth has taken place since this book when to publication in 2000. Taylor captures the feel of California’s mission days, the ranchero days, the gold rush days, and the great growth thereafter through an olive-colored lens. She writes about how the trees were cultivated, how the fruit was picked and processed, and how the product compared and compares to the European competition.
I got interested in olive trees after discovering some long abandoned groves in and around the Sacramento, California area. What surprised me was how abundant the fruit even though the trees were untended and overgrown, and had been that way for decades, and even though they were crowded by other types of trees, such as scrub oaks, wild figs, digger pines and others. In many places, including on and around the UC Davis campus, the shady trees heavy with fruit in the fall are like stately ornaments of California’s past. But what a waste to see the dark, ripe olives just fall to the ground to become black greasy spots! Why is this? The main reason is known to anyone who has ever plucked a ripe olive off the tree and taken a bite. It tastes awful! Olives have to be processed, usually in brine with many changes of water before they become edible. And to press the oil from the olive requires equipment, knowledge and skill.
Although this book does go into many aspects of processing, it does not go into enough detail to help the beginning olive enthusiast. I’m still looking for the book that explains the processing techniques explicitly, especially for small producers.
--Dennis Littrell, author of “The World Is Not as We Think It Is”
September 29, 2017
The sub title - History of an Immigrant Tree - appropriate. Olives have been in California since the Alta California missions were founded. Most likely, olives were first planted (along with grapes and palms and figs and so on) at San Diego Mission. From existing records, they didn't go to the coastal missions for a good 10-15 years. It is most likely that they were planted at the inland missions like San Gabriel and San Fernando.
This book gives a good overview of the history of commercial growth and use of olives both for oil and ripe olives. The industry started with oil as the primary product, changed to ripe olives (after tin cans were invented in the early 1900's) and has moved back to more production of olive oil as a commercial product.
It's a pleasant book, an easy one to read. If you want somewhere to start research about California Olives (why I bought it) it's an excellent place to start.
This book gives a good overview of the history of commercial growth and use of olives both for oil and ripe olives. The industry started with oil as the primary product, changed to ripe olives (after tin cans were invented in the early 1900's) and has moved back to more production of olive oil as a commercial product.
It's a pleasant book, an easy one to read. If you want somewhere to start research about California Olives (why I bought it) it's an excellent place to start.
Want to Read
August 23, 2007it's only been in my to-read for years. My copy is signed by the author.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews