How to prepare table olives at home?
Preparing your own table olives is an age-old art that requires patience and expertise. If you're lucky enough to have access to fresh olives, why not embark on this culinary adventure? Discover the steps to transform bitter olives into delicious table olives, ready to be enjoyed.
1. Choose the right olives
Not all olive varieties are suitable for preparing table olives. Opt for varieties with firm, meaty flesh , such as:
- The Cacereña Manzanilla
- The Gordal
- The Picholine
- Lucca
Olives must be harvested when ripe , whether they are green (harvested before full maturity) or black (harvested at full maturity).
2. Eliminating bitterness: debittering
Fresh olives contain oleuropein , a compound that makes them very bitter. Therefore, it is necessary to remove the bitterness before consuming them.
Water method:
- Place the olives in a large container of cold water.
- Change the water every day for 10 to 15 days.
- Taste regularly to check that the bitterness has disappeared
Caustic soda method (faster but delicate):
- Prepare a caustic soda solution (2 to 3% concentration)
- Soak the olives for 8 to 12 hours
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water for several days
Caution: Caustic soda is a dangerous product. Handle it with care and wear gloves.
3. Prepare the brine
Once the olives have been debittered, they must be preserved in brine to flavor and preserve them.
Brine recipe:
- 1 liter of water
- 100 g of salt (i.e., 10% concentration)
- Optional herbs: thyme, bay leaf, garlic, fennel, chili pepper, lemon zest
Preparation :
- Boil the water with the salt until completely dissolved.
- Let it cool
- Add the herbs
4. Put the olives in jars
Place the debittered olives in sterilized glass jars. Add the herbs of your choice, then pour in the cold brine until the olives are completely covered.
Seal the jars tightly and let them rest for at least 1 month before enjoying. The longer you wait, the more the flavors develop.
5. Preserve the olives in olive oil
For even tastier preservation, you can replace the brine with extra virgin olive oil .
Method :
- After removing the bitterness, drain the olives well.
- Place them in a jar with herbs (garlic, thyme, rosemary, chili pepper)
- Cover with extra virgin olive oil
- Let it macerate for 2 to 3 weeks before enjoying.
6. Tips for making perfect table olives
- Patience : preparing olives takes time, but the result is worth it.
- Hygiene : Use sterilized jars to avoid any contamination
- Herbs : feel free to experiment with different herbs to create your own recipes
- Storage : Olives in brine can be kept for several months in a cool place
Conclusion
Preparing your own table olives is a rewarding experience that allows you to rediscover the authentic flavors of the Mediterranean. Whether you choose the water or lye method, the patience and care taken at each step will guarantee flavorful, high-quality olives.
To enhance your olives, use a quality extra virgin olive oil , such as that made from Manzanilla Cacereña from the Sierra de Gata.
