Bağcı Gemlik Black Olives – 700 g

On a Turkish breakfast table, the olives are never an afterthought, and the ones most families reach for are Gemlik olives. This 700g pack from Bağcı brings you plump, glossy olives from the famous Gemlik area, with a meaty texture and a well-judged level of salt that makes them hard to stop eating.

Why Gemlik Is So Famous

Gemlik is a small town on the Sea of Marmara, near Bursa, and its name has become a byword for quality in Turkey. The local olive variety is small to medium in size, with a high oil content, thin skin and a fleshy interior. Harvested when fully ripe, the fruit turns a deep purple-black on the tree and develops a rich, buttery flavour that sets it apart from many other black olives.

Traditionally, these olives are cured slowly in salt or brine rather than being treated with lye, which preserves their natural taste. The result is an olive that tastes of fruit and oil first, with a gentle bitterness and savoury finish.

What to Expect From Bağcı

Bağcı selects its olives from the Gemlik region and packs them to keep that fleshy texture and balanced saltiness intact. They are soft enough to pull easily from the stone, yet firm enough to hold their shape on the plate. Their flavour is round and mellow, making them a favourite with both children and adults. The generous 700g pack suits households that put olives on the table every morning, and it works out better value than buying several small jars.

Serving Ideas

The Classic Breakfast Plate

For many Turkish families, these are the definitive breakfast olives. Serve a small bowl alongside white cheese, tomatoes, cucumber, eggs, honey and fresh bread. A drizzle of olive oil, a pinch of dried thyme and a few flakes of red pepper make them even better.

Beyond Breakfast

• Add to a meze platter with cheese, cured meats, pickles and dips.
• Pit and chop them into salads, pasta sauces or bread dough.
• Blend with garlic, olive oil and herbs to make a quick tapenade.
• Pair with a glass of something cold and a bowl of nuts for an easy aperitif.

Tips for Enjoying Gemlik Olives

If you find them a little salty, soak the olives in fresh water for twenty minutes before serving. To bring out their flavour, let them sit at room temperature for a short while rather than eating them straight from the fridge. Keep a few garlic cloves and a sprig of rosemary in the container for a simple homemade marinade.

Storage

Once opened, keep refrigerated in an airtight container and make sure the olives stay covered with a little olive oil or brine. Always use by the date shown on the pack. Olives may contain stones, so take care when serving them to young children.

Turkish Olives Delivered

If you are searching for authentic Turkish olives UK delivery, Robin Food has you covered with nationwide shipping and same-day delivery in many London areas. Pair your Gemlik olives with our Turkish white cheese, Turkish extra virgin olive oil and some Afyon sucuk for a complete breakfast spread.