Gastronomy
Olives are a key ingredient in the Mediterranean diet, which is famed for being one of the healthiest in the world and has even been declared as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by Unesco.
The benefits of the Mediterranean diet have been proven by multiple studies including its ability to significantly lower heart disease.
Variety
The possibilities are endless! Not only are there multiple varieties to try and love, you can mix olives with everything from oregano and thyme to chorizo and manchego cheese for an extra twist.
There are also different types to choose from including whole or pitted, bruised, split, halved and quartered, green, black, mixed, cured in the Sevilian style or in brine.
Versatility
Did you know that table olives are one of the few foods that have all four basic flavours – sweet, salty, bitter and acidic? That’s why they go so well in so many recipes.
What’s more, they are affordable and really easy to find. You can store them for a long time and use as a quick-to-prepare snack for parties, lunches, barbecues or just whenever you have an olive craving!
History
Olives date as far back as the 1st millennium BC, when Phoenicians introduced the olive tree in the Iberian Peninsula. Thereafter, Romans and Arabs developed the crops using more intensive methods and it was the first Spanish colonisers who brought the olive tree to America.
Sharing is caring!
Olives are best when shared and enjoyed with others. They make a great snack at gatherings or dinner parties, either on their own or whipped up with other ingredients in a tasty dish.
Make sure you always have some in your cupboard, ready to serve at a moment’s notice!
Nutrition
Since the early days, olives have been considered as a very healthy food. Besides providing energy, they offer a large number of natural antioxidants, minerals and vitamins too.
Their calorie content comes from good fats which are needed to maintain a healthy diet. Research studies suggest that the Mediterranean diet which is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids help to prevent heart disease and strokes by favouring healthy blood flow.
Calories – there’s about 150kcal in every 100 grams of olives. That’s 37kcal for each seven olives.
Olives are great!
The possibilities are endless! Not only are there multiple varieties to try and love, you can mix olives with everything from oregano and thyme to chorizo and manchego cheese for an extra twist.
There are also different types to choose from including whole or pitted, bruised, split, halved and quartered, green, black, mixed, cured in the Sevilian style or in brine.
Heritage
There is a longstanding history and tradition of olive production in Europe, specially in Spain, where olives have been the heart of the culture and cuisine for more than 2,000 years.
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