Originating from the Mediterranean, olives have been cultivated across the globe and have gained more popularity in recent years due to their high value of olive nutrition. Olive cultivation is very important to the Mediterranean economy, however Spain is the world's largest olive producer today followed by Italy, and then Greece. There are many types of olives, the most popular being the green and black olives. Other types can be grouped from their countries of origin such as French, Spanish and Italian olives.
Olives are a globally used fruit found in all types of recipes and dishes. Not only are olives themselves frequently used in recipes, but olive oil is at the height of its popularity. In fact it wasn't until the 1980's when olive trees started to be planted specifically for their oil. Olive trees are hearty plants that are so hearty that they can live for hundreds and suspected thousands of years.
Olives cannot be eaten right off the tree due to their extreme bitterness. Instead they must go through a process called brining. Brining is the preservation process used for olives. It is a salt-laden solution used to pack the olives. There are different methods of brining for different amounts of time. You can find your own brining methods online that will brine your olives from two weeks up to four months. Olives are usually stored in glass jars or cans, and if they are opened they must be kept refrigerated and will last no more than a few weeks.