When many people think of Adventist food traditions, they think of nuts, grains, or breakfast cereals—but olives deserve a place at the table too. This ancient fruit has nourished cultures for thousands of years and was specifically praised by Ellen G. White as a valuable health food.
Let’s look at the history, the science, and the delicious possibilities.
1. A Brief History of Olives
Olives are one of humanity’s oldest cultivated foods.
- Olive trees were being grown over 6,000 years ago in the Mediterranean Basin.
- Ancient peoples used olives not only for food, but for medicine, lamps, soap, and religious ceremonies.
- In the Bible, the olive branch symbolized peace and reconciliation (think of Noah’s dove).
- Olive trees can live for hundreds—even thousands—of years.
That’s longevity in every sense.
2. What Ellen G. White Thought About Olives
In The Ministry of Healing and Testimonies for the Church, Volume 7, Ellen White spoke positively about olives and olive oil—especially in an era when butter and animal fats were common.
Her main points, summarized:
✅ A good replacement for butter and meat fats
She recommended properly prepared olives as a plant-based substitute for animal products.
✅ Helpful for digestion
She noted that olives and olive oil can help relieve constipation naturally.
✅ Gentle on the stomach
She described olives as soothing for an inflamed or irritated stomach.
✅ Useful in healing diets
She specifically mentioned their value for “consumptives” (the historical term for people suffering from tuberculosis or wasting illnesses), likely because olives provide concentrated nourishment.
In today’s language:
Ellen White basically said:
“Choose plant fats over animal fats—and olives are an excellent choice.”
Modern nutrition science would largely agree.
3. What Modern Nutrition Says About Olives
Olives are technically a fruit—a stone fruit, like peaches or cherries.
A typical serving (about 10 olives) provides:
- ~50–70 calories
- healthy monounsaturated fat
- fiber
- vitamin E
- copper
- iron
- small amounts of calcium
- antioxidants called polyphenols
Important compounds include:
- Oleic acid — linked to heart health
- Hydroxytyrosol — a powerful antioxidant
- Oleuropein — may help reduce inflammation
Possible health benefits:
✔ supports heart health
✔ may reduce inflammation
✔ may help protect brain function
✔ supports gut health
✔ naturally satisfying—helps meals feel complete
One caution: many olives are high in sodium, so if you are watching salt intake, rinse them or choose lower-salt varieties.
4. Three Vegan Mediterranean Recipes Featuring Olives
1. Mediterranean Chickpea Olive Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups (480 ml) chickpeas
- 1 cup (150 g) chopped cucumber
- 1 cup (150 g) tomatoes
- 1/2 cup (75 g) olives, sliced
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) lemon juice
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
- parsley
Toss and chill. Perfect potluck food.
2. Olive Tapenade on Whole Grain Toast
Blend:
- 1 cup olives
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 tbsp capers
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Spread on toasted sourdough or crackers.
3. Warm Mediterranean Lentils with Olives
Combine:
- cooked lentils
- sautéed onions
- chopped spinach
- sliced olives
- oregano
- lemon
A hearty supper bowl.
5. Fun Facts About Olives
🫒 Olives are too bitter to eat directly from the tree—they must be cured.
🫒 There are more than 1,000 varieties worldwide.
🫒 Spain produces the most olives globally, followed by Italy and Greece.
🫒 Green and black olives are often the same fruit—just picked at different stages.
🫒 One olive tree can keep producing fruit for centuries.
A Takeaway Thought
It’s fascinating that over a century ago, Ellen G. White wisely singled out olives as a health food. Today, nutrition science continues to confirm what traditional Mediterranean cultures—and many Adventists—have long known: small fruit, big blessing.
What do you think about olives? Were they a part of your food experience growing up? Apart from using olives as part of a Nuteena sandwich or as an add-in to the Haystack, do you have any favorite recipes with olives as a major ingredient? We'd love to read your comments (write them just below, left).
** A.I. (Both ChatGPT and Grok) participated in this article in assistance with research and editing. The header picture of Ellen G. White, with side dish of olives, looking out into a May California early evening, was generated by Grok. The author of this piece is Cynthia Zirkwitz. Please provide a llink to this article and not the article in its entirety. Thank you for supporting independent bloggers and writers online. https://veggieschool.blogspot.com Article and images © 2026 Cynthia Zirkwitz
Comments
Post a Comment