black olives

a.k.a.

Mission or California olives.

what is it?

In general, black olives can refer to any ripe variety of olives, such as kalamata or nicoise. (Unripe olives are green.) However, black olive often refers to the large meaty olives usually sold canned. Their lye curing process leaves them with a very mild to bland flavor not desired for most recipes.

don't have it?

Try using Kalamata or other black olives from your grocery store's deli section. You may prefer the flavor to the canned ones.

how to store:

Canned olives will keep indefinitely unopened. Refrigerate after opening.