They’re healthy, delicious, and inexpensive. But how long will olives last before they go bad?
There are many myths surrounding the shelf life of olives. Some say that they should only be eaten within 2 weeks after being picked. Others claim that they should be stored in the refrigerator. Still, others believe that they should be kept in the dark. In reality, most of these claims are false.
This guide will teach you everything you need to know about the shelf life of olives. We’ll also share some tips on how to store your olives in a way that keeps them fresh for as long as possible.
Why don’t you find fresh olives on supermarket shelves?
The answer is simple. Olives contain up to 14 percent of the compound oleuropein which makes them taste bitter and unpleasant. To make them edible for humans, they’re soaked in water or fermented in salt brine.
Another method involves soaking the olives in Lye, or sodium hydroxide. This accelerates the chemical breakdown between oleuropein and sugar into less bitter compounds. After about one week, they are rinsed of any chemicals—and packed in salt brine or oil to help preserve them until you’re ready for them!
How long can I keep my olives?
Olives are one of those foods that can be stored for an incredibly long time, but they do have a shelf life. This is because there’s no single factor that determines their shelf life; it depends to a large extent on the storage conditions, the type of olive, and its packaging.
Bulk olives (sold in oil)
- Refrigerator: 1 to 2 months (best quality)
What is the shelf life of bulk olives?
In the case of bulk olives, the shelf life is one to two months if stored at ambient temperature. If you store them in an airtight container in the freezer, they will last for much longer.
How long do bulk olives keep in the refrigerator?
Bulk olives usually retain optimum quality for about 1-2 months in the refrigerator.
How do you know if bulk olives have expired?
The best way is to smell and examine the olives. If the olives develop an abnormal odor, flavor, or appearance, or if mold appears, they should be discarded.
Jarred or canned olives (unopened)
- Ambient temperature: 2 to 3 years (best quality)
What is the shelf life of an unopened jar or can of olives?
The precise answer to this question depends to a large extent on the storage conditions. Store the jar or box of olives in a cool, dry place.
An unopened jar or tin of olives will generally retain optimum quality for about 2-3 years at room temperature.
Are the olives safe to eat after the “best before” date on the jar or box?
Yes, provided they are stored correctly and the jar or box is not damaged. Jars and boxes of olives are usually marked with a “best before” date. This is not a use-by date; this is the manufacturer’s estimate of how long the olives will retain optimum quality.
After this date, the texture, color, or flavor of the olives may change, but in most cases, they are still safe to eat if they have been stored correctly, the jar or box is undamaged, and if there are no signs of deterioration.
How do you know if the olives have expired?
The best way is to smell and examine the olives. If the olives develop an abnormal odor, flavor, or appearance, or if mold appears, they should be discarded. Discard jars or cans that leak, rust, bulge, or are badly dented.
Jarred or canned olives (open)
- Refrigerator: 18 to 24 months (best quality)
What is the shelf life of olives after opening the jar or box?
The precise answer to this question depends to a large extent on the storage conditions. To maximize the shelf life of olives after opening the jar or can, store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
How long do olives keep in the fridge after opening the jar or can?
Olives generally retain optimum quality for 18 to 24 months in the refrigerator after opening the jar or can.
How do you know if the olives have expired?
The best way is to smell and examine the olives. If the olives develop an abnormal odor, flavor, or appearance, or if mold appears, they should be discarded. Discard jars or cans that leak, rust, bulge, or are badly dented.
Storing olives
The following are some useful tips for storing olives.
- Store loose olives in the refrigerator in their brine in an airtight container.
- Store the jar or box of olives in a cool, dry place.
- To maximize the shelf life of olives after opening the jar or can, store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
