Olives have become a staple in British kitchens, offering consumers a taste of the Mediterranean throughout the year. With a broad range of varieties available in UK supermarkets, shoppers can explore different styles, textures, and flavour profiles, though the selection only hints at the full diversity found in global olive production.

A recent taste test evaluated several popular supermarket offerings, highlighting key qualities and potential drawbacks.

Tesco’s Finest Sicilian Nocellara olives, priced at £4 for 125 grams, represent a premium option that has gained recognition in the UK market. These olives are described as briny, buttery, and grassy, with a smooth flesh and crisp skin, although they tend to discolor quickly after opening. They received a moderate score of 3.5 out of 5.

Waitrose features a notable range, including Mediterranean Olives with Herbes de Provence (£4 per 145g), which combine a pronounced salty flavour with fragrant herbs and juicy oil, earning a 4 out of 5 rating. Another Waitrose option, the No.1 Sicilian Giarraffa olives (£4 for 130g), stand out for their larger size, bright green appearance and a flavour described as buttery with a salty, tangy edge, achieving the highest mark of 5 out of 5.

Greek varieties also featured prominently. Odysea’s Big Kalamata Pitted Olives (£2.80/165g) are valued for their large, meaty texture and fresh taste, suitable for salads, scoring 4 out of 5. Waitrose’s Greek Grilled Halkidiki Olives (£4/150g) introduced a smoky, charred element to the table, although their bitterness led to a more modest 3 out of 5 rating.

Sainsbury’s range offered a mix of bold flavours with varying success. Queen Olives with Lemon & Herb (£3.25/160g) presented large green olives with a crisp skin and a markedly salty, herby taste, rated 3 out of 5. Olly’s Garlic & Basil Halkidiki Olives (£4 for 200g) were noted for their strong initial garlic aroma that matures into a pleasant salty tang, earning 3.5 out of 5. Meanwhile, Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Nocellara del Belice (£4/160g) suffered some disappointment due to discoloration and oil emulsification, despite a buttery, sweet flavour, also rated 3.5 out of 5.

Further Nocellara del Belice options included Unearthed’s £4.50 for 215g offering, where many olives appeared grey and “sweaty,” though the sweet, creamy flesh helped maintain a 3.5 out of 5 score. Marks & Spencer’s Grilled Turkish Green Olives (£4.20/170g) combined smoky and fresh notes with red peppers, chilli, and garlic in the marinade, achieving 3.5 out of 5.

Overall, while British supermarket shelves reflect a limited segment of the vast Mediterranean olive tradition, there remains a diverse array of choices for consumers seeking flavours ranging from buttery and grassy to smoky and herbed. Those selecting olives might consider freshness and presentation alongside taste to ensure the best culinary experience.