Fruit size, shape and flesh-to-stone ratio

Table olive cultivars show large variability in size, shape and flesh-to-stone ratio (Figures 1 and 2). Nevertheless, medium (3-5 g) to large fruits (above 5 g) are preferred by both consumers and the industry. Similarly, a flesh-to-stone ratio greater than 5:1 is considered a threshold for table olives. Among the various shapes, symmetrical rounded fruits with symmetrical stones are more suited for olive pitting in the industry. Stone detachment is also related to the roughness of the pit´s surface, being easier in cultivars with a smooth or rough surface compared to those with a knotty stone (Gordal Sevillana, Toffahi, Ascolana Tenera).

Figure 1: Variability in fruit size and morphology among table olive cultivars in the same field trial. 

Figure 2: Fruit weight and flesh-to-stone ratio of various table olive cultivars in the same field trial.