Olives is a subcategory focused on Spanish black olives and capers, represented by the brands Aceitunas Losada, Vegatoro, La Calandina and Encurtidos Murcianos. At the heart of the range are two varieties of black olive - Cuquillo and Empeltre, available with and without stones, in pack sizes from 200 g for the household up to wholesale 5 kg packs, including an organic version. The category is completed by capers from the Murcia region in three forms - shoots, berries and buds.
How to find your way around this category
Empeltre is a traditional Aragonese black olive variety with a milder, less bitter and slightly sweet flavour. Cuquillo offers a more pronounced, classic olive flavour. You will find both varieties with stones (more authentic, but less practical) and without stones (more convenient to eat as they are).
Capers are divided according to the part of the plant - buds (the smallest and mildest, the classic capers for sauces), berries (caper berries, more pronounced and larger) and shoots (young stems with a delicate, crisp texture).
Olives and capers - an overview
Product
Character
Recommended use
Empeltre olives
Milder, slightly sweet flavour
Tapas, eating on their own
Cuquillo olives
More pronounced, classic olive flavour
Tapas, for salads and dishes
Caper buds
The mildest, small in size
Sauces, dressings, fish
Caper berries
Larger, more pronounced flavour
Cold platters, garnishing dishes
Caper shoots
Crisp texture, milder flavour
Tapas, salads
You will always find the specific weight and whether the pack contains olives with or without stones in the product detail.
The Empeltre variety and organic growing
Empeltre is one of the oldest and most widespread olive varieties in Aragon and Catalonia, traditionally used both for table olives and for making olive oil. The range also includes an organic version of Empeltre without brine from La Calandina, grown without synthetic pesticides and fertilisers.
Olives "without brine" have a more pronounced, more concentrated flavour than olives in brine - bear this in mind when seasoning dishes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Empeltre and Cuquillo olives?
Empeltre has a milder, slightly sweet flavour, while Cuquillo offers a more pronounced, classic olive flavour. The choice depends on personal preference.
What is the difference between caper buds and caper berries?
The buds are smaller and milder, traditionally used in sauces and dressings. The berries (caper berries) are larger, with a more pronounced flavour, and are better suited as a garnish or for cold platters.
What are caper shoots?
They are the young stems of the caper plant with a delicate, crisp texture, less well known than classic capers but popular in tapas cooking.
Why buy olives with stones when stoneless ones are available?
Many people find that olives with stones keep a more authentic texture and flavour, while stoneless olives are more practical for eating as they are or for use in dishes.
How long does an opened pack of olives last?
After opening they belong in the fridge, submerged in their brine, and should be used within a matter of weeks. The exact use-by period is stated by the producer on the packaging.
The variety and whether you want olives with or without stones. Also: Empeltre is milder, Cuquillo more pronounced.
What we base this on
On information from the producers Aceitunas Losada, Vegatoro and La Calandina. Also: we verify the specific weight and packaging on the individual products.
Where the limits are
Wholesale packs (3.8-5 kg) are better suited to catering businesses than to the household. Also: for home use, choose the smaller 200-345 g packs.
What this category does not cover
Neither preserved vegetables nor seafood. Also: you will find those in the corresponding subcategories.