Olive Me

Stopped by the Olive Me booth at the Old Strathcona Farmer’s Market today and did some taste-​testingm, since like most uninitiated Canadians, I really don’t know the first thing about olives and think of the canned or too-​salty versions I’m used to and don’t really like very much. After trying a bunch of different flavours — all of which were very enjoyable — I settled on a container of olives called «The Gooch» — with cranberries, figs, almonds and cashews — what a delicious treat! I went home and learned a little bit more about olives and how to use them and I think I’m hooked! The only downside is now I have to wait a whole week to get more!

I have a serious problem with Olive Me: their olives are way too good for me to resist and way too expensive for me to make a habit of.
I love olives. I swear I could eat them all day, everyday and not get sick of them. After realizing there was a speciality shop within walking distance of my apartment, I knew I had to try it.
As was recommended to me, I wanted to try a package of blue cheese olives. I was disappointed to see there weren’t any left behind the counter (I came near the end of the day). However, the owner was happy to tell me that she was just finishing up packaging some and if I didn’t mind waiting, she could get them for me. I also went for a container of the classic kalamata olives for a dish I was planning on making.
I sampled the blue cheese olives right when I got back to my apartment… and by sampled I mean I ate nearly half the package in a single sitting. Clearly I have no willpower! The kalamatas were equally fantastic.
While I can’t afford to buy their olives all the time, I will definitely stop by if I’m ever hosting a get-​together… or if I want to treat myself!

We were planning a party when my sweetheart’s brother was in town. I sent them to the market with a list of what to buy, including two packages of olives. My brother-​in-​law was so enamored with the olives they were serving, that he tried every flavour they had out and came home with four or five different varieties (he couldn’t decide). Not that I minded. You can never have to many olives from Olive Me at your party or in your fridge. I’ve been hooked on them since I tried my very first blue cheese stuffed one at the market a few years back.

I’m so confused by this store! They have a beautiful sign in a fairly popular part of town, however when I popped by on a Friday afternoon during their «open» hours, they were not open! The blinds were drawn and there was a woman sitting in there practically in the dark. It was very odd. Thankfully though if you can’t seem to catch the store open, they have a very popular booth at the Strathcona Farmer’s Market. I wasn’t a fan of olives until a trip to the Middle East converted me. Now I can’t get enough of the salty things and Olive Me makes sure I will not get bored in the flavor department for some time. They sell gourmet olives in all sorts of flavors including spicy, blue cheese, and one of my recent favorites, a large Italian olives that has been boiled in beet juice and taken on a lovely pink color. These olives are great for special occasions or people like me who think olives should be a daily meal.

I have driven by this place hundreds of times and finally stopped to take a look. The blinds are always drawn, so while the name of the place quite blatantly states they sell olives, I always found the shop a bit of an enigma.
I expected some kind of kitchen wear or gift shop, so was surprised when I saw just one small case of gourmet olives and a giant space behind that serves as their kitchen. The girl working there at the time was getting ready for the Strathcona Farmer’s Market on the weekend. They do a lot of selling and promotion there. If you’re at all an olive fan, or you’ve sworn off them ever since you first tasted one from the can, I suggest you give these a try.
They will change olives for you FOREVER! These gourmet preserves are fresh and savoury, not to mention stuffed and coated with gourmet ingredients. I tried the blue cheese and feta stuffed olives, and bought a small container for $ 7 with tax, easily double what you’d pay for olives in the grocery store but the flavours don’t compare. If you want to bring an original appetizer to a party, this is a great option. They won’t last long but they will be remembered.
There are about 15 to 20 varieties in the shop and another 15 or 20 you can specialty order. And I thought I loved olives obsessively before I discovered Olive Me…