Olives, love them or hate them?
By liquorice
@liquorice (3887)
April 15, 2008 10:29am CST
Personally I am addicted to them but I think that this is a food where people go either way. As an olive enthusiast I don't understand why so many people hate them. It's interesting to see when people try them for the first time and their reaction is to either smile or to nearly throw up. Which one are you? If you love them why do you like them so much? For me I think it's because I love savoury things and they are the ultimate savoury food, they don't fill you up and they feel quite healty to eat. If you hate them, why? I'm asking this question because I genuinely want to understand. The concept of not liking them is just impossible for me to fathom!
2 people like this
7 responses
@Bethany1202 (3431)
• United States
20 May 08
I like them very much -- I think it's the many different varieties and the usually salty and slightly bitter sensation they bring to my taste buds!
Some people probably hate them for this same reason -- I think it's a more acquired taste. Other people have told me they hate the texture of them, but I love them, so to each their own!
1 person likes this
@liquorice (3887)
•
20 May 08
Yes, I agree, they are definitely an acquired taste and I suppose because they're so different from everything else they're hard for some people to get used to. That's interesting that some people don't like the unusual taste and the texture. It's hard to imagine this when you like them so much! I agree, it's each to their own - and I still have respect for people who don't like olives, lol!
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
15 Apr 08
I love all kinds of olives and eat them out of the jar or can. I won't eat a salad without them and the more the better.
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
15 Apr 08
I like green and black olives. I will eat them straight out of the can or jar sometimes. I don't eat them very often because of the amount of sodium in them though. They are on the table with the appetizers at just about every family holiday though.
1 person likes this
@liquorice (3887)
•
15 Apr 08
Well, I think that the 'love them' camp is winning so far! And since I posted about this earlier today I've eaten a fair few... Today it was the small green ones stuffed with peppers but I love black ones too, and any other type of olive that you can think of! I also worry about the amount of sodium, that is a down-side (and it's the only one I can think of...) so we try to make sure that we don't buy them all the time.
@Bethany1202 (3431)
• United States
15 Apr 08
I love them, all different types of them. My boyfriend dislikes the taste. Some people say they are too bitter or salty, and others I think do not like the texture.
I am not one of the haters -- I LOVE OLIVES!
@liquorice (3887)
•
16 Apr 08
It's funny that you and your boyfriend disagree on this. I bet each of you cannot understand the other's viewpoint. It's hard to when it's a matter of taste like this. Luckily my husband and most of my family love them too, so when anyone buys them we're all happy! My sister used to hate them but now she likes them too, so it is possible to convert from being an olive lover to an olive hater - there's hope for your boyfriend yet!
@icequeen123 (934)
•
15 Apr 08
I know they are healthy, and I do keep trying them, but urgh they just taste wrong. I can manage salad dressings which have olive oil as their base, but the olive itself I just can't stand. It is the texture, as well as the flavour.
I think it is one of those love it or hate it things. Like avocadoes, once again very healthy, but it's like eating soap!
@icequeen123 (934)
•
15 Apr 08
It's both I'm afraid, I just can't stand them. I have a thing about trying foods. I don't like bananas or fresh tomatoes, but I keep trying them in the hope that my palate will mature!
1 person likes this
@liquorice (3887)
•
15 Apr 08
Very interesting. Thanks for the insight! Is it green or black olives that taste wrong? I can kind of understand it if it's just the black ones as I think they have a different texture and a slightly metally taste; I like this but I suppose it might be a bit of an acquired taste. The green ones have a smoother texture and taste more salty in my opinion. I can understand how someone who doesn't like olives can still like olive oil as I don't think they really taste the same despite coming from the same place, and the oil is much milder. It's funny that you keep trying to like them :)
