How are green olives grown?

Green olives are grown on olive trees, which are evergreen trees that can live for hundreds of years. Here's a breakdown of the process:

1. Planting and Growing:

* Olive trees are planted from cuttings or seeds. Seedlings take longer to bear fruit, but are more resistant to disease. Cuttings produce trees that will fruit sooner, but are less robust.

* Olive trees thrive in warm, dry climates with plenty of sunshine. They need well-drained soil and can tolerate some drought.

* The trees are pruned regularly to shape them and encourage fruit production.

2. Fruit Development:

* Olive trees produce fruit in clusters called drupes.

* Green olives are harvested before they turn black. The olives are picked when they are still firm and have a bitter taste.

* Harvesting can be done by hand or by machine.

3. Curing and Processing:

* Green olives are then cured to remove their bitterness. This process can involve various methods:

* Brining: Olives are soaked in a salt solution for several months.

* Lye treatment: Olives are soaked in a lye solution to soften the bitterness.

* Fermentation: Olives are fermented in a brine solution for several months.

* After curing, green olives can be packaged in brine, oil, or other solutions. They can also be stuffed with various ingredients like pimentos or garlic.

4. Varieties:

* There are many different varieties of green olives. Some popular varieties include:

* Sevillano: Large, meaty olives with a sharp, briny flavor.

* Manzanillo: Smaller, firm olives with a slightly sweet flavor.

* Cerignola: Large, plump olives with a mild flavor.

* Kalamata: These are technically black olives, but they are often cured green, resulting in a darker green color.

Beyond the basics:

* Olive production is an important industry in many Mediterranean countries.

* Green olives are a versatile ingredient that can be enjoyed in many dishes.

* The process of growing and curing green olives is labor-intensive and takes time. This is why green olives can be relatively expensive.

I hope this gives you a good understanding of how green olives are grown!