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Olives and Beer Go Together in Spain

Be it Cruzcampo or San Miguel, beer is the drink most associated with olives by 39% of Spaniards. Water comes next (21%), closely followed by wine (18%). Vermouth and soft drinks are equal at 11%.

This and other revealing data was presented late last year by Antonio de Mora, Managing Director of ASEMESA, the Spanish Association of Table Olive Exporters and Manufacturers.

Table olives were ahead of nuts and crisps in snack consumption. Stuffed olives (45%) were preferred to whole olives (22%) and pitted olives (13%).

Most olives were used in salads (45%) or snacks (37%). Thirteen percent of olives were used as side dishes and a low 5% as an ingredient.

On a scale of 1-10, price (6.6) was the most important consideration when buying olives, next came variety (5.8), followed by size (5.5), brand (5.3) and package (5.1).

The preferred package for buying olives was in a can (41%), then loose (22%), glass (17%), plastic sachet (14%) and plastic jar (6%).

When asked if table olives are a health product, over 87% from all age groups surveyed (20-65+ years) responded yes.