Where are Olives Grown?

Olives are a cornerstone in Mediterranean cuisine. Their delicious flavor has led to them spreading all over the world, though, and being used in an increasingly wider range of recipes.

If you’re wondering where olives are grown today, that’s an excellent question. We’ll be taking a closer look at the countries and climates that grow olives, as well as some dietary information about them.

Read on to learn some things you may not have known about olives…

Where are Olives Grown?

Olive Production Source

Olive trees are native to the Mediterranean region. They originally grew in parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Given that this is where the olive tree originally set down its roots, it’s not surprising to find that the countries in this area continue to produce the most olives. More specifically, Spain, Greece, Italy, and Turkey are the world’s most prolific countries in terms of olive production.

Like we mentioned at the beginning of this post, though, the influence of olives has spread far beyond their native region. In fact, olive trees are now being grown all the way across the Atlantic ocean in the United States. California and Texas are two states in the US that grow olive trees, although they usually use the trees to produce olive oil.

If you’re wondering whether olives can be found growing in England, the answer is…sort of. You likely won’t find them growing on a commercial scale, but it is possible to grow olive trees in England with the right conditions. You may need to consider growing your tree in a container or greenhouse.

Read Also: Where are Olives in the Grocery Store?

Olive FAQs

Is it okay to eat olives every day?

Olives make a delicious snack, topping, or even cocktail add-in. Does this mean it’s okay to eat them every day?

As we’d say with most other foods, yes, you can eat them daily. You just need to make sure you eat them in moderation.

Olives have a lot of salt and fat, which you want to avoid consuming too much of. Plus, since olives are small, many people tend to overindulge, eating more than they expect at once.

Do olives reduce belly fat?

Other than being tasty, there are a number of reasons to snack on some olives the next time you’re craving a salty treat. Some sources show that eating olives can help you lose weight in a few ways.

For one thing, they’re perfect for when you’ve got a craving for saltiness. They’ll give you that nice salty punch of flavor in very few calories.

Olives are also composed of healthier fats, like unsaturated fat. This is what makes them a crucial part of the Mediterranean diet, which can help you lose weight.

Related Article: What Does Olive Oil Taste Like?

Are olives a fruit or a vegetable?

Olives are a bit difficult to classify. They don’t look like the way many other vegetables look, and yet they often still get lumped in with veggies. Is that really where they belong, though?

The answer may shock you: no! Olives are botanically considered fruits rather than vegetables.

That being said, there’s a difference between botanical and culinary classification. Botanical is the scientific classification of fruits and veggies, while culinary focuses on how the plants are used in cooking.

For that reason, you might culinarily classify an olive as a vegetable while acknowledging that it is botanically classified as a fruit.

What are the healthiest olives to eat?

Before you buy that huge jar of olives to supplement your diet with, you might want to first take time to determine which ones are going to be healthiest for you.

If you want to get the most health benefits from your olives, consider looking for kalamata olives. They’re packed with antioxidants and healthy fats, making them an excellent snack when you’re in the mood for something salty.

Further Reading: Where are Blueberries Grown?

Wrap Up

If you’re addicted to salty snacks and you’re looking for a healthy alternative, olives are an amazing option. They’re small, which makes them perfect as finger foods, and they have a delightful flavor that people all over the world enjoy.

You can even make a decadent pasta dish out of olives. Give this vegan linguine and olive pesto recipe a shot if you want to have an olive-laden dinner soon.