Food Encyclopedia

kalamata olive

An almond-shaped Greek olive (also spelled calamata) that ranges in length from about ½ to 1 inch. Kalamatas are a dark eggplant color and have a flavor that can be rich and fruity. They're often slit to allow the wine vinegar marinade in which they're soaked to penetrate the flesh. Kalamatas are marketed packed in either olive oil or vinegar. See also olive.