Are Fresh Olives Edible

Unlike other fruits, fresh olives, even mature ones, are quite bitter

Unlike other fruits, fresh olives, even mature ones, are quite bitter

Olives are thus treated to remove compounds contributing to their bitterness

Olives are thus treated to remove compounds contributing to their bitterness

Until compounds oleuropein and ligstroside are removed, you can't eat them

Until compounds oleuropein and ligstroside are removed, you can't eat them

Raw olives are processed through different curing methods to make them edible

Raw olives are processed through different curing methods to make them edible

The curing process converts the natural sugars into lactic acid to remove bitter compounds.

The curing process converts the natural sugars into lactic acid to remove bitter compounds.

The longer olives ferments in  their brine, the more complex its flavors become.

The longer olives ferments in  their brine, the more complex its flavors become.