| Olives have been eaten and the oil used | | | | Olives can be used to add zest to any |
| since biblical times but it wasn't until | | | | dish - but you must pick the right olive |
| recently that they have enjoyed so much | | | | to compliment the main food. Some |
| press due to their cardioprotective | | | | olives can be salty, some sweet and |
| properties. About 1/3 of the olive is | | | | others earthy and rustic. Here's a |
| monounsaturated fatty acid, commonly | | | | guide to the different types of olives |
| refereed to as "the good fat" which is | | | | and the foods they go best with. |
| thought to lower cholesterol levels and | | | | Sweet Flavored Olives |
| help prohibit the buildup of plaque in | | | | Green olives with herbs de Provence have |
| the arteries. | | | | a vibrant citrus flavored and is a |
| Olives are grown mostly in the | | | | delightful blend of herbs de Provence |
| Mediterranean countries where they are a | | | | spices and large green olives. It is an |
| large part of the diet. Studies have | | | | excellent choice to use in surf dishes |
| shown that people in the Mediterranean | | | | and with sweet spices. |
| regions who eat a lot of olives tend to | | | | Earthy Flavored Olives |
| have less heart disease as well as less | | | | Nicoises is a earthy rich olive commonly |
| incidence of certain types of cancer. | | | | used in salad. The curing of this olive |
| The olives that we are used to seeing in | | | | in red-wine vinegar gives it a |
| the stores and eating are not fresh | | | | distinctive taste. Mount Athos green |
| olives from the trees. In their raw | | | | olives with sun-dried tomatoes are |
| state, olives are quite bitter and they | | | | olives combined with sun dried tomatoes. |
| must be "cured" in order to be | | | | The heavy flavor of this olive make it a |
| palatable. Different methods of curing | | | | great snack all by itself! Sun-dried |
| produce different flavors in the olives | | | | olives have a rich flavor that blends |
| and today, there are dozens of gourmet | | | | wonderfully in sauces for serving over |
| olives widely available. | | | | pasta. |