la.foodblogging

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!