Marmarabirlik Natural Black Olives in Brine (Doğal Siyah Zeytin Salamura) are large, naturally cured black table olives sold in an 800 g tin. The size is XL, about 201 to 230 olives per kilogram, so each olive is plump and meaty. The tin holds 800 g of drained olives, with a total net weight of 1200 g. The label carries a "Koruyucu İçermez" (no preservatives) seal, a halal certification mark and a note that this is a cooperative product, made in Turkey by the Marmara olive cooperative union.
These olives are a staple of the Turkish breakfast table with white cheese, tomatoes, cucumber and fresh bread, and they are equally at home in a meze spread or a village-style salad. Their size makes them easy to stone and use whole in a warm olive and walnut salad, in pide and börek fillings, or tossed through pasta and rice with olive oil and fresh herbs. For a simple side dish, dress them with olive oil, lemon, thyme and a little chilli.
Store the sealed tin in a cool, dry place; the producer's catalogue lists a 24-month shelf life. Once the tin has been opened, transfer the olives with their brine into a clean airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator.