These olives are cultivated in the province of Amario in Rethymnon prefecture on the island of Crete. The Mediterranean climate and fertile soil on the island provide excellent conditions for olive growing. These Throuba olives fall on the ground when fully ripe, and they are collected using olive nets.
They are characteristically black in color and have a meaty texture. They are not bitter because these olive trees are infested with the Phoma oleae fungus, which causes the olives to lose their bitterness as they ripen on the tree. Besides selecting the best olives, no further human processing is required.
These olives are table olives of the Azeiteira and Redondil varieties. They are produced in the municipality of Campo Maior, near the Spanish-Portuguese border. Traditionally grown without the use of any pesticides or herbicides, these olives are carefully selected and hand-picked.
Since they are not suitable for the production of olive oil, elvas olives are mostly brined and canned or jarred. These olives can be either green or black, and they have a delicate, smooth skin and a mellow yet aromatic flavor. Elvas olives can be consumed as an appetizer or used as an ingredient in many traditional Portuguese dishes, such as rojões (fried pork) or bife de atum de cebolada (tuna steak with onions).
This table olive grows on olive trees of the Konservolia variety in the province of Volos in the Thessaly region. This region has a Mediterranean climate with dry summers and mild winters that are suitable for the cultivation of olive trees. The olives are harvested by hand, either while they are still green or when they are fully ripe and purple-black to black in color.
They are transferred to a processing plant where they are treated with caustic soda if they are ripe or a salt solution while still green, and then pickled. The flavor of these olives can be described as fruity and pleasantly sweet. The best way to serve Konservolia Piliou Volou is alongside delicious cheeses or sliced over salads.
This table olive is obtained from olive trees of the Konservolia variety grown in the municipal areas of Peta, Komboti, Grammenitsa, Vlama, Sykies, Sellades, Makryniada, and Kommeno in the Epirus region. The weather and soil conditions in these areas are not ideal for olive cultivation, but this variety has adapted well to wet soils and cold winters.
The olives are harvested manually and transferred to a processing plant, where they must pass a quality control check. The best olives are placed in containers with brine to ferment. The fermentation process lasts from 20 to 60 days for green olives and four to five months for yellow and black olives.
This table olive is obtained from olive trees of the Konservolia Amfissis variety grown in the municipalities of Amfissa, Itea, Delfi, Chrisso, Sernikaki, Aghios Konstantinos, Aghios Georgios, Eleonas, Drossochori, Prossilio, and Kirra in Phocis prefecture.
Even though conditions in this mountainous region are not ideal for cultivating olives because of its cool winters, the Konservolia variety has adapted well. The olives are usually harvested when fully ripe and gathered by hand using small wooden sticks.
Traditionally grown around the Gulf of Gaeta which is nestled just south of Rome in the province of Latina, Oliva di Gaeta is a variety of small, reddish olives. Salt cured Gaeta olives have wrinkled, black flesh, while the ones brine-cured exhibit a smooth, dark violet texture.
Prized for their plump, meaty body and a unique, slightly sour flavor, Gaeta olives are a popular appetizer but can also be used in various salads, risottos and pasta dishes, including the famous Spaghetti alla Puttanesca.
Freixo canned olives belong to the Negrinha variety, produced in northeastern Portugal, near the Spanish-Portuguese border. Traditionally grown without the use of any pesticides and herbicides, these olives are carefully selected and hand-picked.
After they are harvested, these olives are separated according to their size and optionally pitted, after which they are brined. Freixo olives are either green or black, but their color can range from dark yellow to purple after canning. They are used in a broad range of traditional Portuguese dishes and drinks.
Frantoio olives are a renowned variety primarily grown in Italy, particularly in the Tuscany region. They are highly valued for their use in olive oil production due to their distinctive flavor and high oil content. Frantoio olives are medium-sized with an oval shape, maturing from green to a dark purple or black color.
The olive oil produced from Frantoio olives is known for its excellent quality and complex flavor profile. It typically has a fruity aroma with notes of fresh grass, artichoke, and green apple, along with a balanced bitterness and a peppery finish.
This makes Frantoio olive oil a favorite among chefs and food enthusiasts for its ability to enhance the flavor of a wide range of dishes.
The island of Thassos has been known for its olives since ancient times. The famous Thassitiki olive of the Throumba variety was even named after this island. These olives are harvested from early November through mid-January, when they become fully ripe or even overripe and develop their distinct black color.
Due to the presence of the Phoma oleae fungus, Throumba olives lose their bitterness while ripening and can be eaten straight from the tree. The olives are primarily picked by hand in order to avoid any bruising of the fruit. After picking, they are washed in mountain spring water, graded by size, and cured in coarse salt.
TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.