Black olives are fully ripened olives that are cured to reduce their natural bitterness. They have a savory, mildly fruity flavor with a salty, briny edge, and a texture that ranges from firm to soft depending on the curing method. They are widely used in Mediterranean and other international cooking, adding depth to salads, pizzas, sauces, stews, and spreads such as tapenade. Olives have been cultivated around the Mediterranean for thousands of years and remain an important part of its food traditions.