Ancient Olive Press in Israel

Katzrin Village is home to the oldest olive oil press in Israel still in use today. So, take this unique opportunity to come learn about this ancient industry!

Why Was Olive Oil So Important?

Olive oil was used for cooking and preparing food. Even the leftover olive pulp was later dried and used for easy kindling of fires.

The oil was also widely used in cosmetics such as lotions, creams, perfumes, and even charcoal eyeliner.

Lower grade olive oil was used in oil lamps to provide light after sunset and to welcome in the Sabbath. To see it in use, be sure to visit the ancient Israeli home, where you will see lit olive oil lamps set on ledges built into the wall, especially for this purpose.

The Katzrin Village greatly benefited from the oil produced from this ancient press. The ancient synagogue, with its two-story stone structure and peaked roof, mosaic floor, carved stone columns, and ornate stone entrance, is a clear reflection of the profits reaped from the industry.

How Did The Ancient Olive Press Work?

The mill stone was hand-driven or donkey-driven, as it crushed the olives, turning them into a pulp. The pulp was then scooped up and placed in a flat, flexible, woven basket called a frail.

The full frails were then carried to the lever-and-weights press, where they were stacked, one on top of the other. The weights were released, and the lever pressed down against the baskets. After a few minutes of pressing, small particles of oil would pool together and drain into a vessel beneath the frails.

If a more efficient extraction method was desired, the corkscrew press was used instead. This was brand new equipment developed during the Talmudic Era and was highly preferable over the lever-and-weight press. However, during the busy olive season of September through November, both presses would have been working in full force.

Once this stage was complete you were left with a mixture of olive oil and olive fruit water. We all know that oil and water don’t mix, but they still had to physically separate the oil from the water to have a sellable product! This is where you’ll see the special traditional method applied to isolate the olive oil from the fruit water.

How We Use the Ancient Olive Press Today

Our olive press is used for educational activities such as the Olive Oil Experience, where participants can test out ancient food production first-hand, and understand how traditional olive presses used to function. Make and taste your own olive oil as your guide directs you through this age-old process from start to finish!

Continuing your Olive Oil Adventure

Another way to enjoy your delicious olive oil is to bake your own pita! Roll out the dough and a local will help you bake your pita over a hot fire. Once ready, infuse your taste buds with the flavours of an ancient civilization, as you eat freshly baked pita dipped in olive oil and hyssop.