Simple Water Cure
The gentlest and most beginner-friendly method. Just olives and water, changed daily, resulting in a mild, pure olive flavor. Perfect for first-time curers.
Prep: 15 min · Cook: 0 min · 6 servings · Easy
Ingredients
- 2 lbs fresh green olives
- Fresh cold water
- 1/2 cup sea salt per quart (for finishing brine)
- Optional: fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or bay leaves
- Optional: lemon slices for flavoring
Instructions
- Select firm, unblemished green olives
- Rinse olives and place in a large glass or ceramic container
- Cover completely with fresh cold water
- Change the water every day - this is essential
- Continue changing water daily for 4-6 weeks
- Taste an olive weekly - bitterness will slowly diminish
- When olives taste mild with slight bitterness, they are ready
- Prepare finishing brine with salt and water
- Add optional herbs and lemon to the finishing brine
- Pack olives in jars and cover with finishing brine
- Refrigerate and use within 2 months
- The longer you water cure, the milder the olive