It started with a myth
According to legend, the olive tree came into being as a result of a competition by the Greek god Zeus. Wanting to test the inventiveness of the gods, Zeus offered the City of Athens to the one who produced the most useful gift. The contest came down to Poseidon, god of the sea, who created a horse, and Athena, goddess of war and peace, who created the olive tree. Although the horse would be useful in wars, Zeus chose the olive tree: it provided food and fuel, soothed wounds, and symbolized divine blessing and peace.

It became a business of mythic proportions
Regardless of the olive tree's origins, Constantino Carapelli turned its fruit into a business of mythic proportions. It all began in 1893, when he started selling olive oil and grain, founding a family business that became an Italian tradition.

In 1940, Carapelli's dream of moving his business from Montevarchi, Italy, to Florence, came true. His sons built warehouses in a Florentine suburb, which were supplied with oil directly from the family mill at Ponte e Ema. Even though these warehouses were destroyed in World War II, nothing stopped the Carapellis. By the 1950s, Carapelli was a household word.

Uncompromising commitment to innovation and stringent standards
Throughout its history, Carapelli has been unwavering in its commitment to innovative ideas and outstanding quality. In the 1970s, Carapelli was the first to promote bottled extra virgin olive oil. Carapelli's state-of-the-art headquarters in southern Florence combines old world craftsmanship and new world standards. And in 2001, Carapelli instituted an internal quality certification program-a voluntary observance of 22 quality parameters that are stricter than those required by law. The reason for this is simple: to provide customers with the clearest information and every reassurance about the quality of Carapelli olive oils.

The leader in extra virgin olive oil and Italy's best known brand
Given all this, it's hardly surprising that Carapelli Olive Oil is Italy's market leader in extra virgin olive oil and the best known brand of olive oil in general. One taste and you'll understand why generations of Italians have made Carapelli Olive Oil a part of their lives, and how deliciously easy it is to make it part of yours.