Olives - Where to Buy?

[Tony Angelino]

I'm a fan of olives, absolutely love them when on holiday or in a restaurant in the UK. Can't recall ever having a bad one either here or abroad.

Trouble is - I can't seem to get them over here to eat at home that are anywhere near the quality of the ones you get eating out. I've tried the main supermarkets including the discounters and top end, home brand and 'finest', I've tried the Turkish supermarket, I've tried farm shops and market stalls without any luck. Even the local 'deli' doesn't sell anything that comes close. The nearest I have found are Co-Op own branded, the best of a bad bunch. I prefer green ones, either stuffed or not, don't mind them spicy or garlicky.

Does anybody have any recommendations on what/where to try please?

[sidekickdmr]

best supermarket olives I have has are the chilli ones from the help yourself counter at sainsburys

[soad]

I think he's after a catering sized tin?

[jockinthebox]

I use a company called belazu, not sure if the sell to the public, seen a few of their products in Waitrose.

[sherman]

Valvona and corolla in edinburgh deliver.
Its an amazing italian deli .
https://www.valvonacrolla.co.uk/parente-cerignola-...

[bennno]

Lidl

[craig1912]

https://www.olivesetal.co.uk/#home

[Vaud]

craig1912 said:

https://www.olivesetal.co.uk/#home

^^^ This.

[Puggit]

bennno said:

Lidl

Aldi also do very passable olives in pre-sealed containers.

But as someone else mentioned, the fresh counters in supermarkets are good too.

[C70R]

Go look for Nocellara olives.

Thank me later.

[TIGA84]

C70R said:

Go look for Nocellara olives.

Thank me later.

These are indeed wise words.

[Tickle]

If I have none brought back from Greece, we get vacuum packed ones from Amazon (nearly always Kalamata)

[IanA2]

C70R said:

Go look for Nocellara olives.

Thank me later.

Fine olives indeed. After a few drinks, if there's nobody around, some Sicilians, will, soto voce, admit that greek olives are "not bad".

[Mort7]

bennno said:

Lidl

+1. Also Costco.

[zygalski]

Typical PH.
Either Lidl or hand picked from groves in Siena by some local virgins.

[jas xjr]

I have found a massive choice at Turkish supermarkets / Asian supermarkets. Usually an aisle or two. In every size imaginable. Tins,jars and vacuum packed.
Bit confusing really

[Vaud]

zygalski said:

Typical PH.
Either Lidl or hand picked from groves in Siena by some local virgins.

https://www.olivesetal.co.uk/#home

This recommendation is a nice family business in Dorset. Worth supporting. Very good products.

[Tony Angelino]

Thanks all. Regarding a few of the replies:

Lidl - find them OK but not brilliant.
Costco - had the medium size tubs in varous flavours but have found them far too soft whenever I have had them.
Turkish supermarket - tried the Venus in Leeds help yourself counter, tasted a bit 'soapy'

I will take a look at a couple of the online suggestions and give those a whirl. Appreciate the replies.

[jas xjr]

Might be worth seeking out another independent supermarket, possibly

[C70R]

zygalski said:

Typical PH.
Either Lidl or hand picked from groves in Siena by some local virgins.

You can buy Nocellara olives in Asda and Tesco.

Nothing exclusive about that.

And they are delicious.