Pitted Kalamata Olives - Greece

10 oz Jar - Greece

The Kalamata is the king of Greek table olives and one of the best-known olives in the world. Kalamatas are shiny, brownish-black to purplish-black, tight skinned with a characteristic "almond" shape. The Kalamata is the most highly prized black olive, and as a result many of the Kalamata olives that reach this country are not even grown in Greece. Kalamatas are usually slit (harakti), on two sides. The most prevalent, and less expensive, way to preserve Kalamatas is in vinegar, but this imparts a harsh tangy finish to the olives. The preferred method of preserving is in extra-virgin olive oil which yields more "olive" flavor and gives you a true appreciation for the popularity of good Kalamata olives.

These delicious pitted kalamata olives are grown and hand picked on small family run orchards on the Greek Peloponnese just outside the Kalamata PDO zone. They are cured and then packed in organic extra-virgin olive oil. Slightly smaller than our Kalamatas from the Kalamata PDO zone, they are nonetheless full flavored and meaty without the vinegar tangyness present in the "kalamatas" found in most olive bars. They are ready for stuffing, cooking for stews and roasts, or chopping for a nice Kalamata olive spread.