Olive You Trader Joe’s
Saturday, July 9, 2005 22:07
We conducted a .59 cent green olive taste test at my house this week thanks to Trader Joe’s. The Eagle Rock branch was running an introductory special on Crespo’s pitted green olives packaged in a Euro-chic “snack pouch.” I saw only one flavor on display: Pitted Green Olives with Herbs & Garlic.
I’d say there are 22-25 olives are in each pouch. There’s really no trace of brine sloshing in the bottom of the bag. Instead the olives have a fine oily surface. The herbal coating on the olives remains relatively dry and adheres to the olive surface pretty well and not to the package. I’m waxing on about the packet because it struck me as pretty innovative.
I’m used to a cold, grotty jar in the fridge unless I’ve just hand-picked a selection at some shmancy olive bar. In terms of flavor, these TJ olives fall somewhere between the jar in the fridge and the pricey olive bar picks. I wouldn’t say they’re large, meaty and generous, but they’ve got nice seasoning, they’re cheap, and you don’t have to go on a fishing expedition to eat them.
The olives are produced by Crespo in Spain and Morocco and distributed by the U.K. firm R.H. Amar & Co. Ltd. Crespo also makes Pitted Green Olives with Chilli Peppers, Mixed Olive Cocktail and Dry Black Olives Greek Style with Herbs — but apparently, these are not yet sold at TJ’s. Crespo also distributes the aforementioned snack olives in a tub that comes with cocktail sticks under the lid!
Jonah says:
July 10th, 2005 at 8:25 am
Only over the last few years have I conquered my resistance to eating green olives. I might have to try these, at $.59, it’s a low risk venture.
What I really want to find is some olives with the same spices as they serve at Cobra Lilly. I assume that those are some sort of Spanish secret…
SoCalorie says:
July 10th, 2005 at 10:30 am
We tried to book about 15 people for a party at Cobras and Matadors but there was a $25 minimum per person so the interest quickly fell away. I still want to try either spot with a smaller party.
MaxMillion says:
July 28th, 2005 at 11:31 am
Cobras y Matadors is one of my favourite places in LA. A party of 15 seems a little too hefty for such a small place… Then again, they do have those long sections along the wall for a large party. Oh, and you’d all easily spend $25 per person, especially if you get your $20+ bottles of Spanish wine from next door (worth it) and add that to your bill. Those small plates do add up. Some are way more substantial than others. Socca cakes (little lentil patties), sweet and sour oven roasted game hen also asparagus with manchego cheese and walnut vinaigrette are essentials! Sweet potato fries are fantastic, too. FYI — this place is *loud* and reservations are essential. Anything bigger than a party of four and you won’t hear each other. You get gorgeous green olives and almonds to snack on while you wait for your orders.
I haven’t yet tried their new sister restaurant in Silver Lake.
lorey says:
May 12th, 2006 at 5:06 pm
I love those little packets of Crespo Olives from Trader Joe’s. However, I was there yesterday, they were out and I learned they had been discontinued.
With crackers you can make a quick lunch with those little packets of olives. I’m looiing online for them, but so far, have only found them in outside the USA. Will continue to look….
Jonah says:
May 12th, 2006 at 6:22 pm
Let us know what you find Lorey. Have you tried the olive bar at Whole Foods? I’m sure that it’s quite a bit more expensive than the Crespo packs, but they might be a short term stand in.
Gideon says:
May 20th, 2006 at 5:38 am
Lorey, For the discontinued Crespo olives try:
Transmed Foods Inc
Phone: (410) 837-3330
401 East Pratt Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Business Types: Importers, Condiments
bazu says:
July 28th, 2006 at 8:59 pm
I love these olives! Imagine my surprise, after being spoiled by their $.59 price as an Orange County resident, to see them in an east coast Trader Joes for almost $3.00! How hard can it possibly be to ship these little suckers to the other coast?
Daniela Brandt says:
August 1st, 2006 at 6:16 pm
They are the perfect snack and travel well while hiking since so light. We just ate our last (!!!) $ 0.59 pouch of these great pitted “Olives du Marche”. I also like to warm them up in the MW for 20 seconds and some very thin slices lemon in it. I am trying to find them somewhere else since Trader Joe’s had discontinued them this spring (I complained to them at every visit since then, but they are not getting them back). Has anyone tried to get a shipment from the importer in Baltimore?
Lynnette says:
October 26th, 2006 at 8:36 am
Yes! I just ordered a case from Crespo. They only charged $53 for a case of 100 pouches - and this included shipping! They threw in some samples of other products too. They are really nice in their e-mail correspondance as well.
Carey says:
October 26th, 2008 at 11:07 am
I love the dry greek style olives = can’t get enough of them.
Operations Department says:
October 28th, 2009 at 9:47 am
Would just like to let you know if you are still looking for the product you can contact us directly thru our web site http://www.transmedfoods.com and you can order the product directly from us and currently we have 6 verities in-stock.