China's first olive harvest strikes oil

摘要

Initially served in bars on the end of a toothpick as just an amusing accessory to a famous cocktail, the olive is slowly moving out of China's posh watering holes and onto the country's dinner plates. Deemed too bitter by many first time tasters, import and consumption figures suggest middle class China cannot get enough of the Mediterranean fruit and its healthy oil. Helping lead this culinary revolution is Karim Aljaadi, a 50-something Palestinian who has spent the past two decades promoting Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine across China. In 2001, after discovering China's only olive grove, Aljaadi set about working with farmers in western Gansu province to help turn a dead end venture into a thriving industry. Last year was his first harvest and the results spoke for themselves.