Olives are a popular ingredient in Mediterranean cuisines and has numerous health benefits. However, a common phenomenon is to find red olives instead of the usual dark brown or green olives.

These red olives might cause concern to some people, especially since they are not usually found in grocery stores or restaurants. This article will explore the causes of red olives and possible treatment options.

What are Red Olives?

Olives have diverse colors depending on their stage of ripeness. Young olives are green in color, and as they mature, they change color to purple before eventually turning brown/black. However, some olives may turn red due to several reasons.

Red olives have a distinctive texture and taste, sometimes a little sweeter than the typical olive taste.

What Causes Red Olives?

There are several reasons why olives might turn red. Here are some of the most common causes:.

Varietal Characterization

Some olive tree varieties naturally produce red olives. These red olives retain their color even when they ripen, making it difficult to distinguish between ripe and unripe fruits.

Sunburn

Red olives can occur when the olives are exposed to too much sunlight, resulting in sunburn. When olives get sunburned, their cell walls break down, and they begin to lose their green color, eventually turning red.

This is sometimes referred to as “blushing olives”.

Disease and Pest Infestation

Diseases and pests can also lead to the development of the red color in olives. One of the symptoms of olive florybunda virus is the development of a red color in the olives. This viral disease causes the olive tree to die eventually.

Related Article Understanding Red Olives on the Skin

Fungi and Bacteria

Fungi and bacteria can trigger a red color change in olives. For example, the fungus Gloeosporium olivarum causes ‘anthracnose’ disease in olive trees, manifesting itself by producing tiny crimson spots on the olives.

Bacteria such as Xanthomonas axonopodis can also cause a red color change in olives, leading to diseases like olive leaf spot.

Treatment Options

If you have red olives, it is essential to determine the cause, as treatment depends on it. For example, if the cause is varietal and not disease-related, there is no need for any treatment. The tree variety will continue to produce reddish fruits.

If the cause is fungal or bacterial, treating the olive tree with a fungicide or an antibacterial agent may help. Additionally, it is crucial to identify the specific disease or pest infestation and take relevant measures to combat it.

Preventative measures such as removing infected olives and pruning can help control the spread of the disease.

If the cause is sunburn, shading the olives by covering them or wrapping the tree trunk with reflective materials to prevent excessive heat absorption can be helpful.

Conclusion

Red olives may be an uncommon sight, but they can occur for several reasons. While some forms of red olives may not need treatment, others may require intervention to prevent the spread of diseases or pests.

It is essential to understand the underlying cause of red olives and implement appropriate measures to ensure that the olive crop stays healthy.