When curing olives, there are endless ways to prepare them and they're all delicious. In addition, you must first remove the bitterness that they have when they're first picked from the olive tree and this task can be accomplished in two ways: by soaking the olives and changing their water or by using caustic soda, more commonly known as lye. The second option will be discussed in this OneHowTo article where we explain step by step how to cure olives with lye.
- Bucket or plastic container
- Long stick or utensil
It is important to know that caustic soda, commonly known as lye - is a substance made from sodium hydroxide (NaOH) which is very corrosive and has different uses, including domestic uses for tasks such as unblocking drains.
To cure olives, lye is not used as a dressing, but it is a fast method to remove the bitterness from the olives. We cannot pick olives directly from the olive tree and dress them, because they would be inedible - we must therefore cure them first.
In this regard, using lye significantly speeds up the curing process compared to traditional water soaking methods, which can take weeks. This chemical process not only reduces bitterness but also helps in softening the olives, making them more palatable and ready for flavoring.
It is also essential to know that lye is a dangerous product that we must handle with caution, since when this substance is dissolved in water it creates a chemical reaction that heats the water and releases toxic fumes. That is why you must avoid any splashes by wearing gloves and clothing to protect your skin.
Moreover, always ensure that you are working in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling any fumes. It's crucial to follow all safety guidelines to prevent accidents and ensure a safe curing process.
To cure olives with lye, once you have collected or bought your olives, you should put them in a bucket or plastic container without cracking or splitting them and cover them with water. Then you should add the lye with caution and stir with a stick or other long utensil. Note that you need very little caustic soda: 3 tablespoons of soda is enough for 10 liters of water.
It's advisable to use a non-reactive container, such as plastic or glass, to prevent any unwanted chemical reactions. This ensures the olives are cured safely without any contamination from metal containers.
You must leave the olives to soak for about 8-10 hours for the soda to take effect and completely remove the bitterness from the olives. After this time, you must remove the water and rinse the olives with water. We also recommend that you leave them soaking in the clean water for another 24 hours.
Rinsing thoroughly is crucial to ensure all lye residues are washed away. It should be noted that multiple rinses might be necessary to fully cleanse the olives, ensuring they are safe for consumption.
Now you can start preparing whatever dressing you prefer for your olives. The truth is that there are countless recipes which often contain common ingredients such as herbs, lemon, garlic and salt. At OneHowTo we offer an example of the ingredients needed to prepare olives in brine
- 5 kg of green olives
- 1 sprig of thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- Fennel
- A lemon
- Salt
- A clove of garlic
For an added twist, you might consider incorporating additional spices like chili flakes or rosemary for a more robust flavor.
To prepare this olive dressing you have to boil the herbs in a pan for about 10 minutes; after this time, you can remove it from the heat and when the mixture has cooled, add lemon, together with the clove of garlic that you have previously crushed with salt with a pestle and mortar.
Incorporating the lemon not only enhances the flavor but also acts as a natural preservative, helping to maintain the freshness of the olives over time.
You must pour this mixture into the bowl where you have the olives and add enough cold water to cover them. So that the olives take on the taste of the dressing, you must leave them for a week before they can be consumed.
Once this time is over they will be delicious and ready to eat!
Storing them in a cool, dark place during this week helps the flavors to meld together more effectively, enhancing the overall taste experience.
If you want to read similar articles to How to Cure Olives With Lye, we recommend you visit our Recipes category.