Öncü Premium Black Olives (2XL–XL) – 1 kg

Öncü premium black olives come in a 1 kg pack graded 2XL to XL. These are large black olives, plump and glossy, packed in the size most people choose when they want olives to stand out on the breakfast table or a meze spread.

About Öncü

Öncü is a Turkish food brand whose pepper paste, tomato paste and pomegranate molasses are also on our shelves. The olive range sits alongside those cupboard basics, and this premium line is aimed at shoppers who want larger fruit with a consistent look.

Size and texture

Turkish olive packs use size grades, and 2XL to XL means the olives fall within the larger end of the scale. Large black olives have more flesh around the stone, a softer bite and a mellow flavour. Natural black olives from Turkey are picked when ripe, which gives them a fruitier, less bitter taste than green olives.

The exact ingredients, curing method, salt level and drained weight are given on the pack, so check the label before buying if you are watching your salt intake.

Serving premium black olives

Breakfast

A bowl of black olives is one of the fixed points of a Turkish breakfast. Serve them with white cheese, honey, jam, butter, tomatoes and cucumbers, plenty of bread and a pot of tea. A little olive oil and dried thyme poured over the top makes them look and taste even better.

With meze

Large olives earn their place on a meze platter next to hummus, haydari, stuffed vine leaves, pickled peppers and cubes of white cheese. Their size makes them easy to pick up with fingers or a cocktail stick.

In the kitchen

• Stone and slice them onto pizza, pide or lahmacun at home.
• Stir into a slow cooked chicken stew with tomatoes and peppers.
• Blend with walnuts, garlic and olive oil into a coarse tapenade.
• Add to a simple tomato, onion and parsley salad.

A family sized pack

The 1 kg size suits households that eat olives most mornings. A good habit with large packs of black Turkish olives is to decant a few days' worth into a small jar for the table and keep the rest sealed in the fridge. That way the olives on the table stay fresh and the main supply is not opened every day.

Storage

Keep the pack in a cool, dry place before opening. After opening, keep the olives in a sealed container in the fridge, covered with their liquid if they came in brine, or lightly coated in olive oil if they did not. Always use a clean spoon. Premium black olives stored this way keep their texture for weeks.

If the olives taste saltier than you like, soak a portion in cold water for twenty minutes before serving, then dry them and dress with oil. Leftover olive liquid can be used in a dressing in small amounts, as it carries a lot of flavour. Do not freeze olives, as the texture turns soft and mushy once thawed.

Order Öncü olives online

Robin Food delivers across the UK, with same-day delivery available in many London areas. If you prefer a classic Gemlik olive, try Bağcı Gemlik Black Olives. For smaller, dry cured olives, see Marmarabirlik Dry Cured Olives 3XS, and add Öncü Mild Pepper Paste to the same basket.