Olive Paste

Olive paste is a food ingredient made from finely ground olives, often with added salt, herbs, or oil. It is typically produced by processing ripe olives into a smooth or slightly textured paste. This ingredient captures the intense flavour of olives in a convenient form.

Olive paste is primarily used to impart a strong, savoury olive flavour to food products. It acts as a flavour enhancer and a key component in spreads, dips, and tapenades. It is also used in some savoury baked goods and pasta sauces to add depth of taste.

Olive paste is not a food additive and does not have an E-number. It is a source of monounsaturated fats, fibre, and various micronutrients found in olives. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has evaluated the health effects of olive oil consumption, noting its contribution to cardiovascular health, but olive paste itself has not been subject to specific regulatory health assessments as a distinct ingredient. Evidence suggests that moderate consumption of olive-based products can be part of a healthy diet.