Buying Olives: Important Things To Consider

Buying olives might seem like a simple thing to do, but it can prove to be a lot more difficult than you might think. Why is this the case?

You might not know exactly what to look for when it comes to getting the right olives. Not to mention that you don’t need to pay more than olives actually worth.

Last but not least, you probably don’t know when olives are in season or where they actually come from.

However, don’t worry! Your questions will be answered to help you buying olives like a pro.

Things to Consider When Buying Olives

It can be hard to know exactly what you’re supposed to be looking for when it comes to buying olives. The product is almost always sold in cans or glass jars. This can make it hard to tell if the product you’re getting is high quality or not.

If this is the case, what exactly should you be looking for in order to ensure that you get a good product?

If you’re buying a canned product, make sure that there are no bulges in the can and that the product is not out of date. If you are purchasing olives in a jar, be careful to ensure that the product is in date, but also check the jar itself carefully.

If the juice appears milky white or the olives are discolored, move on to a different product.

How Much Do Olives Cost

It isn’t unlikely to pay vastly different prices for similar products, depending on where you make your purchases. Most grocery stores sell olives for anywhere between $2 a jar to almost $10 a jar, depending on the exact type of product in question.

For example, are you buying the more common kalamata olives or are you looking for the more expensive Meditteranean variety? The size of the jar will also come into play.

For most people, it’s easy to go for the more economical jar.

However, for true connoisseurs of olives, it may become necessary to purchase the more expensive jars that have a higher quality product.

The alternative is to find specialty shops that carry olives that simply can’t be found at your typical grocery store.

Also read: 8 Factors That Will Help You To Compare Grocery Prices

Where To Buy Olives

As mentioned, a lot of olives are purchased in grocery stores. However, they’re also available in stores that specialize in organic products. In some cases, you can find them in farmer’s markets or other types of outdoor shops.

It depends largely on where you live as far as your geographic region is concerned.

Furthermore, your choices will vary a great deal depending on whether you live in an urban or rural area. You have more choices available to you in larger cities.

If you live in a small town, you very well may be limited to what your local grocery store is willing to carry.

Fortunately, you can always opt to buy online. There are countless numbers of grocery stores that have online shopping. It shouldn’t be a problem once you find a store that carries the product you’re searching for.

Where Do Olives Come From

There is a stereotype that says olives almost always come from Italy. By and large, that stereotype exists because a lot of olives do indeed come from Italy.

This has an impact on your ability to find the product that you’re looking for in some locations.

Fortunately, you don’t need to worry about olives being in season, as they are canned almost immediately after picking. This means they can be found all year long. It’s also worth mentioning that olives cannot be eaten fresh.

They contain a chemical called oleuropein that makes them so bitter they are inedible until properly cured.

In Conclusion

You might decide to use olives to spice up toppings on a pizza, add to a salad, or even as part of a vegetable plate. Whatever your reason for buying olives, you do have options available to you.

While there are fewer choices in some areas, you can almost always find something that will taste great.