Can one train themselves to like black olives?

Question

Coming from a part-Italian family I feel that I should like, if not love olives. I have recently been training myself to eat the green ones with the red bits inside (although I still wouldn't say I'm close to 'liking' them) but everytime I attempt to put a black olive near my mouth/try one, I want to gag. Any suggestions?!

Answer 1

one can train himself to like anything, not meaning you will always end up successfull.
Black olives are very special as they have a very strong flavor.
you may want to try different brands as there are two or three different species of black olives with different flavor , plus the brands may vary in quality/maturity of the olive, resulting in disgusting flavor.
I suggest that you start by adding them to recipes containing this product, use less quantity than the recipe until you get used to the flavor then start adding more gradually and end up by trying them alone.
I dont know any other way that may work.
I think therecipe below will be a good beginning
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/database/beefandwinestewwithb_5262.shtml

Answer 2

Possibly, I too have not got a taste for olives and have generally only eaten them by mistake when I thought they were grapes, but I like olive oil and supermarket bogus Mediterranean style bread that has olives in it and I reckon I will eventually come round to liking olives. I think you come around to liking more savoury things as you get older. Probably best to give it time rather than forcing yourself to eat black or green olives at the moment.

Answer 3

I grew up liking green olives, and the first time I tried a black one I gagged. But so many recipes called for them. I discovered if I hid them in the food then the taste was more subtle and actually good. So I like them now, but I don't love them like green ones. I still won't just pop one in my mouth though. So yes, you can train yourself to tolerate them.

Answer 4

I used to be a bit dubious about olives. I can't remember exactly when I started liking them, but I think I was drunk. I eat them like sweets now. I sit and watch a film with a wee bowl full of black / green olives.

I refuse to accept that anchovies are food.

Answer 5

Try using them in cooking, chopped and obviously pitted, use instead of adding any salt! Very good with capers, tomatoes and some tuna. Also try tapinade, its basically an olive paste, usually made from black olives.

Answer 6

I hated black olives too but what i started to do was when i was eating my favorite food (Vegetable Pizza) I would go ahead and have them add little by litte with the olives...Try that! Good Luck...

Answer 7

Try diffferent brands of olives, there are some that are really disgusting.
My kids eat olives but not whole ones. It's to much for them to deal with so i slice them up for them and add them tro their food, it could work for you..
good luck

Answer 8

I would try tapenade, the black olive spread- its quite nice thinly spread on bruschetta and topped with tomatoes and basil- its a disappointment to myself as well that I don't like them- especially when everyone raves about how fab they are!! We are missing out!

Answer 9

Acquired taste. Keep at it. I never liked olives as a youngster but as I got older I can't get enough of them.

Answer 10

You will get to like them eventually....I used to hate Olives of all colours and then one day, years later, I just liked them and now I absolutely love them. Tate buds change over time, they reckon as you get older chocolate loses it's appeal...I'm still waiting