At the foothills of the Drakenstein mountains outside Paarl in the Western Cape is a 180-hectare farm of olive groves. This is the farm where for the past 50 years South Africa’s favourite table olives – Buffet Olives – have been lovingly grown. Buffet Olives is a familiar brand on grocery store shelves and now consumers can enjoy six new additions to the range that include delicious and easy to serve pestos and tapenades.
The new ready to eat products draw inspiration from the Spanish style of eating and are conveniently packed in a 100-gram sealed cup, making them easy to share and pair on a snack platter, add to a picnic basket and include in the lunch box. The new range is plant-based, joining the global food movement of healthy snacking.
Richard Allen of Buffet Olives is very excited about the new additions. He says: “We’ve been looking for a long time to take a deli product and deliver it to the public in a reliable format. We’ve spent quite a bit of time working on this and we’re very excited to launch it.”
Olives are packed with flavour and are a healthy source of vitamins, minerals and amino acids. They’re a fermented product which means that they’re excellent for maintaining gut health. Their flavour and easy to eat size make them an ideal accompaniment to flavourful dishes, beautifully prepared platters, easy aperitifs and delightful appetizers.
Think mouth-watering fish and meat cooked with olives, olive-based pesto tossed into pasta, kalamata olives sprinkled on pizza, bread-dough mixed with green or black olives, bruschetta with olive pesto, olive tapenades on a cheese platter or spread on a gourmet sandwich – the possibilities are endless. Buffet Olives products, including the range, make for an exciting addition to numerous dishes and provide opportunities to really get creative with flavours.
What makes Buffet Olives so good?
The olives are nurtured in perfect conditions. With granite-based soils and a Mediterranean climate, La Valle (the farm) is ideally located for growing perfect, juicy olives. Five cultivars are produced, namely:
- Mission
- Manzanilla
- Baroni
- Kalamata
- Nocellara del Belice
Each olive is hand-picked to ensure the perfect integrity of the fruit at optimal ripeness. The olives are then naturally cured and packed in a world-class facility on the farm. A slow maturation and fermentation process results in a unique taste and aroma. From soil to shelf, the entire process ensures top quality olives.
The La Valle farm dates back over fifty years when the Costa family planted the first olive trees in 1942. The farm shares a border with family-run guesthouse Cascade Manor, which offers breathtaking views of the Olive Valley and a pristine waterfall. It was at Cascade Manor where guests were treated to a scrumptious harvest table lunch from renowned chef Aubrey Ngcungama. It was all served on the latest crockery from Le Creuset – “Bamboo”.
Guests were enticed by a multi-sensory olive-based lunch that included:
- Freshly-baked olive ciabatta
- Decadent olive and herb butter
- Savoury hummus with a green olive sprinkle
- Crunchy cheese and olive pesto puff straws
- Delectable new range from Buffet Olives
The backdrop of Cascade Manor and the new Bamboo colourway created a lush and authentic experience. A perfect setting for launching the new Buffet Olives range!
New range of Pestos and Tapenades
Mixed Olives in toasted Cumin, Chilli and Orange Oil
This Moroccan inspired mixed olives cup is infused with toasted cumin, chilli and orange oil to give you all the heady aromas and tastes associated with classic African and Middle Eastern cuisine. An essential ingredient for your next tagine or home-cooked stew.
Mixed Olives in a Thyme and Basil Oil
This classic Italian herb combination, infused with thyme and basil oil, is the perfect appetizer before your meal, with dipping oil for that warm baguette or ciabatta. It is also the ultimate, healthy, anytime snack or picnic hamper ingredient.
Mixed Olives with Thyme, Oreganum and Rosemary Oil
This Greek-inspired mixed olives cup is infused with Thyme, Oreganum and rosemary oil. Simple sunkissed Mediterranean flavours at their best! Enjoy as a topping on a salad, in a Mediterranean style oven bake or as the perfect on-the-go snack.
Tapenade with Capers and Anchovies
This flavourful Mediterranean-inspired tapenade is the perfect partner to all your summer alfresco meals. It is best enjoyed with a collection of fine-cured cold meats, cheeses, pickles and your favourite bread.
Olive Pesto with Sundried Tomatoes
This Italian-inspired pesto is a luxurious partner to any cooked pasta. Alternatively, use it as a bread spread with a selection of toppings for that perfect Italian “bruschetta”. Don’t forget to add a glass of red wine as the ultimate accompaniment.
Green Thai Olive Pesto with seven Thai Spices and Coconut
A perfect marinade for fish dishes or as an addition to an Eastern-inspired bowl of noodles. Rub onto prawns, pop into a pan and enjoy the mouth-watering spice flavours of the Far East. Or, add a couple of spoons to your next curry for a warm, hearty, Far Eastern flavoured meal
The Health Benefits of Olives
- High in antioxidants
- Source of vitamins, minerals and amino acids
- One cup of black olives contains 10% of the daily recommended allowance of vitamin A
- A great source of vitamin E
- The natural fermentation process means that olives are great for gut health.
No Comments