Sun, 03 May 2026 11:11:07 +0000

They’re Briny, But Are Olives Actually a Fruit? The Surprising Answer Will Shock You! When you think of olives, you probably picture savory bites neatly stacked on charcuterie boards or tossed into a Mediterranean salad. But here’s a question that might surprise you: Are olives actually a fruit? Spoiler—yes, they are! And the way we classify olives often reveals fascinating insights into botany, biology, and even culinary tradition. Let’s dive into the unexpected science behind this tangy, briny staple—and why the answer might just shake your preconceptions. ### What Exactly Is an Olive? Olives are the fruit of the olive tree (Olea europaea), a evergreen plant native to southern Europe, the Mediterranean region, and parts of the Middle East. Botany classes olives as drupes—a type of fruit that features a hard stone (the pit), a fleshy outer layer, and a thin skin (exocarp) beneath. Think of cherries, peaches, or almonds—like olives—they’re drupes.