Who first used olive oil extensively in their cuisine, Greece or Turkey?

Olive oil has been used in Mediterranean cuisine for thousands of years, and both Greece and Turkey have a rich culinary history that incorporates this versatile ingredient.

However, Greece has been known to use olive oil extensively in their cuisine for over 4,000 years. Ancient Greeks considered olive oil as a gift from the goddess Athena, and they used it for cooking, medicine, and even religious ceremonies. In Greek cuisine, olive oil is a staple ingredient, and it's used in dishes such as moussaka, dolmades, and Greek salads.

Turkey, on the other hand, has a long history of using olive oil in their cuisine, but it's not as extensive as Greece. Turkish cuisine is known for its rich, flavorful dishes, but olive oil is typically used in dressings, dips, and drizzled over finished dishes rather than being used as a primary cooking oil. However, the Aegean region of Turkey has a strong culinary tradition that incorporates olive oil into their dishes, which is similar to Greek cuisine.

In conclusion, Greece was the first to use olive oil extensively in their cuisine, and it remains a staple ingredient in their dishes to this day. While olive oil is also an important part of Turkish cuisine, it's not used as extensively as it is in Greek cuisine.

It is difficult to say definitively who first used olive oil extensively in their cuisine, as both Greece and Turkey have a long and rich history of olive oil production and use. However, there is evidence that olive oil was being used in Greece as early as the 7th century BC, while the first written record of olive oil production in Turkey dates to the 4th century BC. It is therefore likely that the Greeks were the first to use olive oil extensively in their cuisine, although the Turks may have been close behind.

The olive tree is native to the Mediterranean region, and it is thought that it was first domesticated in Greece. Olive oil was an important part of the Greek diet, and it was used for cooking, as a fuel, and in religious ceremonies. The Greeks also believed that olive oil was a symbol of peace and prosperity.

The olive tree was also introduced to Turkey by the Greeks, and it quickly became an important part of the Turkish diet. Olive oil is used in a variety of Turkish dishes, including salads, stews, and desserts. It is also used in cosmetics and traditional medicine.

Today, both Greece and Turkey are major producers of olive oil. The two countries account for a significant share of the world's olive oil production. Olive oil is an important part of the cuisine and culture of both countries, and it is likely to continue to be so for many years to come.