The Art of Italian Green Olives: A Journey from Harvest to Table

Few ingredients capture the heart of Italian cuisine like Italian green olives. With their vibrant colour, complex flavour, and deep-rooted culinary heritage, these olives bring a taste of the Mediterranean to every dish.

At The Artisan Olive Oil Company, we proudly offer a curated collection of the best Italian green olives — and their black olive counterparts — to buy online in the UK. Whether for elegant antipasti platters, refined cooking, or luxury entertaining, these olives elevate every experience.

In this guide, explore the harvest-to-table journey of Italian olives and discover why they remain a must-have for discerning food lovers.


The Olive Harvesting Process in Italy

Producing the finest Italian green olives begins with a meticulous harvest. Timing is everything.

Olives destined for green olive production are hand-harvested in autumn, while still fully green and at the peak of flavour, acidity, and texture. For black olives, the same fruit is allowed to ripen further on the tree, developing a richer, deeper flavour.

Skilled harvesters carefully select and handpick the olives to preserve their integrity. Once gathered, the fruit is:

  • Sorted by hand

  • Washed to remove impurities

  • Cured and brined to enhance flavour and ensure exceptional freshness.

This artisanal process honours centuries-old traditions, delivering olives of the highest quality to your table.


Explore Our Collection of Italian Green & Black Olives

🫒 Bella di Cerignola Green Olives

Known for their large size, meaty texture, and buttery, mild flavour, Bella di Cerignola Green Olives are an essential ingredient for luxury antipasti and gourmet snacking.

👉 Shop Fratepietro Bella di Cerignola Green Olives

🫒 Bella di Cerignola Black Olives

For a richer, more intense flavour, try Bella di Cerignola Black Olives — crafted from fully ripened fruit. These black olives deliver a deeper, sweeter taste with a silky texture, making them a sophisticated addition to antipasti boards or main dishes.

👉 Shop Fratepietro Bella di Cerignola Black Olives

🫒 Organic Bella di Cerignola Green Olives

For those seeking the purest expression of Italian olives, our Fratepietro Organic Bella di Cerignola Green Olives are grown according to strict organic principles, free from synthetic pesticides and fertilisers. The result: a clean, vibrant olive full of authentic Mediterranean flavour.

👉 Shop Fratepietro Organic Bella di Cerignola Green Olives


Other Popular Varieties of Italian Green Olives

In addition to Bella di Cerignola, Italy is home to a wide variety of green olives, each with its own distinctive character:

🫒 Taggiasca

  • Small, fruity olives from Liguria

  • Ideal for pesto, sauces, and garnishing pizzas.

🫒 Nocellara del Belice

  • Plump, buttery olives from Sicily

  • Excellent for caponata, pasta dishes, or antipasti.

🫒 Ascolana

  • Large olives with a mild bitterness

  • Traditionally stuffed and fried in Olive all'Ascolana.


Italian Green Olive Recipes & Culinary Inspiration

Pasta Puttanesca

Rich and savoury Pasta Puttanesca combines green olives, capers, anchovies, and tomatoes for a bold, briny flavour.

Olive Tapenade

Create a luxurious spread with green olives, capers, garlic, and olive oil — perfect for canapés or as a dip.

Mediterranean Salads

Enhance salads with green olives for a tangy contrast that balances fresh vegetables, cheeses, and herbs.


Popular Italian Dishes Featuring Green Olives

🐓 Chicken Cacciatore

Green olives add briny complexity to Chicken Cacciatore, a comforting braise of chicken, tomatoes, and herbs.

🍆 Sicilian Caponata

A sweet-sour Sicilian dish where green olives, aubergines, and capers create an irresistible harmony.

🍕 Pizza Napoletana

Add green olives to authentic Neapolitan pizza for a bright, savoury note.


Why Choose Italian Green & Black Olives?

  • Authenticity: Grown in the finest olive groves of Italy.

  • Versatility: Ideal for cooking, entertaining, and snacking.

  • Luxury appeal: Elevate antipasti platters and gourmet meals.

  • Organic options available: Enjoy the pure flavour of organic olives.

At The Artisan Olive Oil Company, we source premium green, black, and organic Italian olives direct from artisan producers. Every jar captures the true taste of the Mediterranean.

👉 Explore Our Full Range of Italian Olives

Yacine Amor