The Truth Behind Canned Black Ripe Olives
Canned black ripe olives have become popular in many households due to their versatility and rich flavor. However, there are often misconceptions surrounding these little black beauties.
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The production process
Canned black ripe olives undergo a specific curing process to achieve their distinctive flavor and texture. Contrary to popular belief, black olives are not harvested when fully ripe. Instead, they are picked when green and unripe. They then undergo a series of treatments that include washing, blanching, fermentation, and oxidation to remove the natural bitterness and develop their desired taste.Harvesting:
Olives destined for canning are typically harvested at an earlier stage of ripeness, when they are still green in color. This is done to ensure they can withstand the processing methods involved in transforming them into black olives.
Fermentation:
After picking, green olives undergo a process called fermentation. They are typically soaked in a brine solution, consisting of water and salt, for an extended period. This fermentation process helps improve their taste by reducing bitterness and enhancing flavor.
Oxidation:
To turn green olives black, oxidation is required. This is achieved by exposing the fermented olives to air or by adding an iron compound to the brine solution. As a result, the color of olives gradually changes from green to various shades of brown and eventually deep black.
Addition of preservatives:
To ensure shelf stability and prevent spoilage, preservatives such as ferrous gluconate or ferrous sulfate are commonly added during the oxidation process. These compounds not only help maintain the desired black color but also extend the overall shelf life of the canned black olives.
Canning process:
Once the olives have reached the desired color, they are carefully packed into cans along with brine or oil to preserve their texture and flavor. The cans are then sealed and subjected to sterilization processes to eliminate any potential bacteria or microorganisms.
Though canned black olives are a delicious treat be aware that these olives are not picked ripe and the term “ripe” on the can refers to a process that turns the olives black artificially.