Our young olive oil makers will visit a nearby olive grove to get up close with the trees and their fruits. At the estate’s own olive tree next to the watermill, they’ll watch the traditional method of harvesting: beating the branches, combing the olives onto large cloths, and separating the olives from the leaves and twigs. They’ll then learn how olive oil is made, step by step.
Theoretical stage:
The children will discover:
- The history of the olive tree and its cultivation on Lesvos
- Traditional tools used for harvesting and oil production
- The olive harvest and the traditional method of making olive oil
- The importance of olive oil in the Mediterranean diet
- The economic role of olive oil in the local and national economy
- Olive by-products (soap, pomace oil)
Hands-On Activities:
Wearing hats and aprons, the children will:
- Explore the olive trees in the grove
- Lay out the harvesting nets
- Beat the branches to release the olives
- Comb the olives off the branches
- Gather the fruit from the nets
- Separate olives from leaves and debris
- Wash the olives
- Crush the olives using a hammer mill or crusher
- Knead the olive paste
- Use a centrifuge to separate oil and water
- Extract and separate the final olive oil
Extension Activities:
The program includes visits to the Folklore Museum of Mesotopos, the Agricultural Cooperative of Mesotopos, and a traditional olive press. There will also be collaboration with the Olive Museum in Gera.