The Farm
Buffet Olives are cultivated and processed on a 300 hectare farm situated in the foothills of the Drakenstein Mountain range. Granite based soils in combination with a Mediterranean climate create the ideal conditions to grow superior olives. The co-location of a world-class processing facility qualifies the product to be truly estate grown, ultimately contributing to the quality of the final product. At Buffet, quality is a philosophy that extends beyond the product to the people themselves. Employees own equity in the business and as with the trees are nurtured to grow with the company.
Four main cultivars Mission, Manzanilla, Barouni and Kalamata are produced under the management of John Schrimgeour and his farm team. Top quality fruit processed fresh from the tree is the secret to the success of the Buffet brand. Hand picked at optimal ripeness the olives are washed and graded before entering a slow curing process under the watchful eye of Schalk Smit and his team in the factory. During this nine month natural fermentation process sugars are converted to lactic acid which gives the final product its characteristic pickled flavour. The final result -0lives with the tradition of the Mediteranean and the sun ripe flavour of the Cape.
Buffet Green Olives
Buffet Green Manzanilla olives have a firm texture and nutty flavour. It is wonderful on its own as a snack, a necessary partner in salads and a magnificent surprise in hot poultry dishes.
Buffet Anchovy Stuffed Olives
For the taste experience of a lifetime, and you don't even have to like anchovies! The flavours complement each other to raise your olive eating experience to something sublime. Use it to turn an ordinary salad into a showstopper or use it as a snack on its own. Gone are the days of serving peanuts and chips for snacks.
Buffet Calamata Olives
Calamata style olives are a definite must for your Greek salad! These olives are wonderful to serve as a snack on its own with a glass of wine or evening drink. Turn them into a tapenade or enjoy them as they are - unadulterated - excellent for buffet style eating. Calamata style olives are the crème de la crème of table olives.
Buffet Green Pitted Olives
Ideal to use as a snack and convenient to cook with. These olives are processed in the same way as our green olives are then piitted for your convenience.
Buffet Italian Black Olives
The traditional Italian style olive, made from cherry-red olives. Add crushed garlic or garlic flakes, chilli and Italy becomes Africa! These are the best olives to eat for a novice or someone you want to introduce to eating olives. They have a very nice pickle taste flavour with a lingering olive aftertaste. The olives are good for salads and very good with hearty chicken casseroles or winter dishes.
Buffet Pimiento Stuffed Olives
An essential ingredient in your martini or other exotic cocktails, the pimiento stuffed olives are mainly used as a garnish. They can be saltier than green olives, and they have a slight piquant taste because of the pimiento strip. These stuffed olives are also a good accompaniment in a green tossed salad.
Buffet Queen Olives
These are extra-large green olives and are good to serve with cold buffets or cold meats. The Home of Buffet Olives, the largest table olive producer in South Africa.