Green
These are obtained from fruits harvested during the ripening period, prior to colouring and when they have reached normal size.

Black
Obtained from fruit which, when not fully ripe, have been darkened with oxidation.

Turning Colour
Obtained from rose or brown coloured fruits harvested before they are fully ripe.

Stuffed
Olives of different varieties are often stuffed with other ingredients to add exciting new flavours. They can be stuffed with peppers, garlic, anchovies, cheese and even salmon. There are more than 50 types of stuffing; the international market favours olives stuffed with capsicum, while the anchovy stuffing is the most popular in Spain.

Olive Size
Olive size depends on the amount of fruit that the olive tree produces. If there are more olives on the tree, its sap must nourish more fruit so they will be smaller. If there are fewer olives, they will be bigger because they have more sap each.

The amount of olives that trees produce, their yield, depends on many factors including sufficiency of water. Technological advances in things like irrigation have helped Spanish farmers get the best from their crops.

Variety
Since the olive can be consumed in many different ways and used in a variety of dishes, there is an olive for all occasions: stuffed, boned, sliced and de-boned.