When it issue forth to olive , there is a wide mixture of type and flavors to choose from . Olives have been cultivate for M of age and fall in many different colour , sizing , and tastes . While it is difficult to give an exact number , as there are multitudinous cultivars and regional pas seul , I will furnish an overview of some of the most popular and well - known type of olives .

1 . Kalamata olive : These dark purple olive are aboriginal to Greece and are far-famed for their plenteous , fruity flavor . They are often preserved in vinegar or Olea europaea rock oil and are ordinarily used in Hellenic culinary art , peculiarly in salads and meze platters .

2 . Manzanilla Olives : Originating from Spain , Manzanilla olive are medium - sized and have a dark-green hue . They have a firm texture and a slightly vitriolic gustation . These olives are commonly used in martinis and are also democratic as a collation or in salad .

3 . Nicoise Olives : Hailing from the French Riviera , Nicoise olives are small , purplish - black Olea europaea with a smooth , meaty texture . They are typically brine - heal and have a slightly sweet and nutty smack . Nicoise olives are a key ingredient in the classic salad Niçoise .

4 . Picholine Olives : Another French variety , Picholine olives are intermediate - sized and have a vibrant immature colour . They are known for their crisp texture and lemonlike , slightly piquant taste . Picholine olive are often used in cookery , marinade in herbs and spice , or suffice as a table olive .

5 . Ligurian Olives : These olives come from the Liguria region of Italy and are small and rotund with a dark purple - black coloration . They have a mild flavor and are commonly used in reach olive oil . Ligurian olive are also enjoyed as a tabular array olive and are often served alongside cured meats and Malva sylvestris .

6 . Castelvetrano olive : As mention in the dubiousness , Castelvetrano olives are a popular variety from Sicily , Italy . They are known for their vibrant , Kermit - fleeceable colouring and their meaty , larder flesh . These olive have a modest , sweet flavor and are often eaten as a snack or used in salad and antipasti record .

7 . Queen Olives : These gravid , oval - mould olives are commonly found in Mediterranean cuisine . They have a firm texture and a more or less biting perceptiveness . fagot olive are often stuffed with various filling such as pimentos , garlic , or almonds , making them a various pick for starter and cocktails .

8 . missionary station Olives : aboriginal to California , Mission olive are modest to medium - sized with a coloured royal - black color . They have a racy , fruity flavor and are often used in making olive oil . charge olive can also be brine - cured or dry - cure and are enjoy as a snack or in various recipes .

9 . Cerignola Olives : These Italian olives are one of the largest varieties available . They are named after the townspeople of Cerignola in the Puglia part and come in both dark-green and black edition . Cerignola European olive tree have a mild , slenderly sweet flavor and a firm , meaty texture . They are often served as a table European olive tree or used in cookery .

10 . Greek Halkidiki Olives : Halkidiki olives are large , oval - mould olives from Greece . They have a firm , crunchy texture and a mild , buttery flavor . These olive are often brine - cure and serve as a bite or used in Hellenic salads and dishes .

It is important to note that this list is by no means thorough , and there are innumerous other Olea europaea varieties launch throughout the Mediterranean and beyond . Each variety offer its own unique equipment characteristic , making the reality of olives divers and exciting to explore .

Caroline Bates