Italian & Mediterranean Olives

Shop our selection of Italian and Mediterranean olives, sourced from specialist artisan producers. Discover large Bella di Cerignola olives from Apulia, alongside green and black table olives selected for their flavour, texture and quality.

Perfect for antipasti platters, aperitivo, salads and Mediterranean cooking, our artisan olives are available for UK delivery in a range of varieties and sizes.

What Are Bella di Cerignola Olives?

Bella di Cerignola olives originate from the area around Cerignola in Apulia, southern Italy, and are famous for their exceptionally large size, firm texture and mild flavour.

They are primarily enjoyed as table olives rather than being grown for olive oil. Their substantial size and fleshy texture make them particularly good for serving whole as an aperitivo, adding to antipasti platters or accompanying cheese, charcuterie and freshly baked bread.

Our Bella di Cerignola olives are produced in Apulia by Agricola Fratepietro, a specialist Italian producer with a long tradition of growing and preparing table olives.

Green vs Black Olives: What's the Difference?

The colour of an olive is largely determined by its variety and stage of ripeness when harvested.

Green olives are generally harvested before they are fully ripe. They tend to have a firmer texture and a fresher, sometimes slightly more bitter flavour.

Olives allowed to ripen further naturally become darker and typically develop a softer texture and rounder, richer flavour.

The final taste also depends on the olive variety and the way the olives are cured, so colour alone does not determine the quality of an olive.

What Are the Best Olives for an Antipasti Platter?

For an antipasti platter, choose high-quality table olives with good texture and distinctive flavour. Large Italian olives such as Bella di Cerignola are particularly well suited because their size, firm flesh and mild flavour make them easy to serve and pair with other Mediterranean foods.

Combine olives with artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, tapenade and other Mediterranean antipasti, alongside cheese, cured meats or good bread.

For entertaining, serving two or more different olive varieties can provide contrasting colours, textures and flavours.

How to Serve Italian Olives

Italian table olives can be served directly as an aperitivo or appetiser, but they are also extremely versatile in Mediterranean cooking.

Serve them alongside cheese, charcuterie and bread; add them to salads and pasta dishes; use them on focaccia and pizza; or combine them with vegetables, tapenade and other antipasti.

For a simple Mediterranean appetiser, serve good-quality olives at room temperature with extra virgin olive oil, herbs and fresh bread.

How Should Olives Be Stored After Opening?

Always follow the storage instructions on the individual product. Once opened, olives sold in brine should generally be kept refrigerated and covered by their brine to help maintain their flavour and texture.

Use clean utensils when removing olives from the container and avoid discarding the preserving liquid until the olives have been consumed.

Where do Bella di Cerignola olives come from?

Bella di Cerignola olives originate around Cerignola in Apulia, southern Italy. The variety is particularly famous for producing exceptionally large table olives.

Are Bella di Cerignola olives green or black?

Bella di Cerignola olives can be found in different colours depending on the variety, ripeness and preparation method. Green Bella di Cerignola olives are particularly well known for their large size, firm flesh and mild flavour.

Are olives suitable for an antipasti platter?

Yes. Olives are a classic component of Mediterranean antipasti and can be served with artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, vegetable preserves, cheese, cured meats and bread.

Can I buy Italian olives online in the UK?

Yes. Artisan Olive Oil Company offers a selection of Italian and Mediterranean olives for UK delivery, including speciality table olives from Apulia.