Three thousand years ago the Ancient Phoenicians , whose lands corresponds to present-day Lebanon and coastal parts of Israel and Syria, brought the olive to new colonies in Mediterranean ports. Later, the Romans would trade olives as one of their more gentle means of settling local frictions.
 
In the 6th century, French craftsmen combined the ashes from sea plants with locally pressed olive oils to make the world's first olive oil soaps. New factories in Marseille, Genoa, Lisbon, and Istanbul began a tradition of soapmaking that would become world-famous.
 
In Marseille, the number of soap factories reached more than one hundred in the twentieth century. Workers gently stirred the delicate mixture in old cauldrons and filled huge pits with a deep-green paste. In a process spanning generations, the hardened blocks were stamped with special marks and dried in the sun and marine winds.
 
Today, making a statement for simplicity, purity and tradition, the descendants of early soapmakers continue the craft. Their dedication ensures the legendary quality of one of mankind's most time-tested creations. Our modern lives seem to need more than ever the healthful, uncomplicated care of pure olive oil soaps.
 
Eating olive oil has been found to reduce the incidence of cancer , reduce blood pressure, aid digestion, and delay the aging process of our organs and tissues. Olive oil plays an important role in the development of our brain with its abundance of Vitamin E. Diets rich in olive oils are common to the world's longest-living populations.
 
The low incidence of skin cancer among Mediterranean people (despite a strong sun) and its well-known anti-oxidant affect have brought olive oil international acclaim for skin care too. Skin and hair cleansed with olive oil soap retain moisture, resilience, suppleness and brightness.
 
It's no wonder dermatologists everywhere recommend olive oil soaps for dry and sensitive skin. The soaring popularity of these gentle, moisturizing soaps has given rise to a new tide of soap makers, beyond the Mediterranean ring, employing many of the ancient methods with their local olive harvests.
 
Here you will find our careful selection of the finest olive oil soaps in the world. These are soaps of brilliant quality crafted by dedicated artisans embarked on a noble pursuit. They are carrying on an ancient tradition of forging from the earth a simple product to make our lives a little better, and maybe even a bit longer.
 
Israel
 
The holy land of Bethlehem is home to some of the oldest olive trees in the world. The tradition of oil making on these lands dates back 6000 years. The ancient olive trees thrive in the region's rich soil and Mediterranean climate. These pure olive oil soaps from Israel are completely hand-crafted using only the very best virgin oils from the region.