Storing olives

[Creola]

I want to purchase a small drum of kalamata olives at Restaurant Depot and would like to know about keeping them. Websites say refrigerate but I have been in Greek deli's where they are in

drums on the floor. How long will they last at room temp?

[patrickamory]

Refrigerating olives makes them nasty - the texture becomes chalky and they lose flavor.

The whole point of salting food was to preserve it. Granted, our homes are warmer than they were in pre-modern days, but olives will last weeks in a covered container on the counter.

I'm ignoring many notes saying to refrigerate these days - anchovy jars sit out once opened too. I think it's just corporations covering their asses.

[Creola]

Refrigerating olives makes them nasty - the texture becomes chalky and they lose flavor.

The whole point of salting food was to preserve it. Granted, our homes are warmer than they were in pre-modern days, but olives will last weeks in a covered container on the counter.

I'm ignoring many notes saying to refrigerate these days - anchovy jars sit out once opened too. I think it's just corporations covering their asses.

That's what I was hoping to hear. I know all the countries with little or no refridgeration don't worry about leaving things out .My fridge is getting where it keeps more condiments than food.

[radtek]

LOL The door and one shelf is various condiments, pickle/preserved stuff and cured meats. I've never had a problem with olives losing quality in the fridge unless they were out of a brine or oil for too long. I like to keep a good rotation though and buy less but more frequently. Will have to try the bulk method perhaps.

You might want to change the brine periodically when leaving the olives out.