As the olive tree plays a major role in the culture of the Mediterranean countries and it is a part of life and history, Mexico has included it in its National Anthem.
Let gird, oh Fatherland!, your brow with olive
by the divine archangel of peace,
for in heaven your eternal destiny
was written by the finger of God.
The first olive trees were brought to Mexico in 1531 from Seville, Spain, by Fray Martin de Valencia. The olive oil production in this country was expanding in the 17th century and Spain was concerned about having a competitor in their colony.
In 1974 King Charles III forbided the cultivation of the olive tree in Mexico. Later on in 1777 he ordered the destruction of all the olive orchards. A few are surviving today and still are making their appearance in the Mexican kitchen.
In the region of the province of Tamaulipas on the Northern part of Mexico, about 7 years ago, olive trees were planted and an olive oil processing plant was added to the site, with the financial support of the Mexican government.
The region was chosen because of its ideal climate and according to the predictions of the Mexican Department of Rural Development, it is going to become the most productive region in the country, with government funds. With the increasing demand for olive oil in the United States, this investment is a sound one.
Today the olive orchards in the states of Sonora, Baja California Notre and the most important one in Tamaulipas, are the greatest in Mexico, with over 2,000 acres of high production quality olive oil varieties, as the Koroneiki, Arbequina and Arbosana, which produce mostly extra virgin. Their contribution to the country’s social and economic development is substantial.
The health advantages of olive oil are heavily publicized in the country, giving awareness to the consumer about the health benefits of this super-food and its versatile uses.