Olive oil is much more than a foodstuff: it is a thread that has connected Mediterranean civilisations for thousands of years. Since ancient times, the olive tree has been an economic, culinary and cultural cornerstone, and its fruit has been used for far more than cooking. In addition to forming a key part of the diet, olive oil has been used in cosmetics, medicine and perfumery, as well as a fuel for lighting. This versatility has given it immense practical and symbolic value, linking it both to everyday life and to rituals and beliefs.

The origins of olive cultivation can be traced back to around 6000 BC in Mesopotamia, from where it gradually spread across neighbouring regions. Archaeological evidence attests to its presence in Ancient Egypt and Greece. Olive cultivation was introduced to the Iberian Peninsula by the Phoenicians around 1100 BC, while the Romans consolidated and expanded production from 206 BC onwards. Olive oil is therefore the result of a long process of cultural exchange and knowledge transmission that has shaped the Mediterranean world through to the present day.

Salou Town Council has recovered a number of centuries-old olive trees and integrated them into public spaces. From the arbequina, farga, morruda and rojal varieties comes a solidarity olive oil, produced for social benefit and recognised by the D.O. Siurana designation, helping to preserve Salou's agricultural heritage and traditions.