Food

Musco Family Olive Co. Review & Giveaway

2:19 PM

From the time I was a child, I remember my mother fixing the relish tray for Thanksgiving dinner. It was loaded with all kinds of pickles, olives and hot peppers. My family as a whole was not too fond of olives but I was and always insisted that they be on EVERY relish tray. Before dinner, I would sneak an olive or two when mom wasn't looking and my oh my...were they ever GOOD! Today, I am still a huge fan of olives. With this last pregnancy, I actually craved the pimento stuffed green olives and could literally eat a whole jar in one sitting. However, I never did eat an entire jar due to the sodium content. Pickles and olives make wonderful appetizers for any meal or occasional...just make sure you have plenty to go around or your will run out quickly!
Today, I am going to introduce you to a fantastic company that is based in California and they specialize in the Early California and Pearls brand of olives. Musco Family Olive Co. also has some lovely reduced salt olives that will ensure you are getting flavor without loads of sodium! Before I continue on with this review, here is a bit more about Musco...

From the time he was a young child in Italy, Nicolo Musco worked in his family's merchant business, peddling olives, cheese, and other food from village to village on his donkey-driven cart. Nicolo started his American success story in 1922, moving from Italy to New York to start an Italian food distributorship. Nicolo's entrepreneurial spirit combined with a heritage that spans back many generations as a long-standing merchant of Italian food products, led him to seek his future and fortune in the olive groves of California.

Nicolo brought with him from Italy a quote and a belief that "when the sun shines, it shines for everyone." Taking this to heart, he and his young family left New York and moved to Northern California to realize a dream and produce olive oil and specialty olives. They settled in the fertile valley town of Orland, California, finding the land similar to the Mediterranean climates of home. He opened an olive oil and specialty olive facility and incorporated Musco Family Olive Co.

Now that I am married, I am still the only one in my house that likes olives...until today!! I am very excited to be given the opportunity to review Musco Family Olive Co., and share it with my family and with all of you today! These family-owned and operated companies are some of my favorites!!
So, for this review I was sent a fantastic olive sampler, complete with a can opener, appetizer napkins and olive skewers! In my sampler I found:

PEARLS Reduced Salt Large Black Olives
PEARLS Reduced Salt Pimento Stuffed Green Olives
PEARLS Fresh Cured Green Olives
Early California Reduced Salt Large Black Olives
Early California Reduced Salt Pimento Stuffed Green Olives
Early California Fresh Cured Green Olives

Being the olive lover that I am, I dove right into my sampler as soon as the children were down for their naps.
First off, I would like to point out that some of the cans had pop-top lids which I love. It makes life so much easier if you can just pull the top off rather than go digging for a can opener. This is also really nice if you are taking olives to a party and you don't want to bother the hostess for a can opener...or, if you go camping and  forget your can opener you can still enjoy your olives!!
I had a fantastic time tasting the different olives that were in this sampler! I loved the Fresh Cured Green and black Olives as they had a great taste to them. When the Musco Family Olive Co. cures their olives, they remove the bitter taste. Their curing process involves water and sea salt and preserves the natural color, texture and flavor. The reduced salt varieties are sooo great too!
I love how you can still have the wonderful taste of olives without feeling like you are consuming loads of salt. I wasn't sure I would like them with less salt but I was very surprised that they were still just as good as the salted varieites!
 
My son is my adventurous child and so I gave him some olives just for fun to see if he would like them. The little stinker LOVED them! He thought it was so funny to put them on his fingers!! (Mommy did help get them on there) After admiring them for a few seconds, he promptly devoured every one of them.
Ahh...a boy after my own heart!! My daughter did not want to try one but her brother, he loved them. You can find Musco Family Olive Co. olives at local stores and you can also use their store locator to find a retailer near you! Also, besides their website, Musco Family Olive Co. can be found on Facebook...be sure to stop by and "Like" them there and check out what is new and exciting there. They will LOVE to meet you!

So, in my opinion...Musco Family Olive Co. has some really great tasting olives!! I love the quality, the flavor and the texture of these olives and would definitely recommend them to any olive lover out there. Fantastic product!
Musco Black Ripe Large Olives
Musco Family Olive Co. has offered a very generous giveaway...here's the scoop:
  • GRAND PRIZE: A fun olive sampler from Musco Family Olive Co., which contains six cans/jars of their newest Fresh Cured and reduced Salt olives, plus a nice Musco branded can opener (sampler pack ARV = $25)
  • 3 Runner Up Winners will receive Free Product Coupons!
Here are your entry options...
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I received no monetary compensation for this post. I did receive Musco Family Olive Co. products for review purposes. All quotes and stock photos are from the  Musco Family Olive Co. website and email. Prize is being provided and shipped by the sponsor. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine.

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51 comments

  1. renataSeptember 20, 2012 at 8:32 PM

    I love eating olives on a pizza!

    ReplyDelete
  2. renataSeptember 20, 2012 at 8:33 PM

    I learned that Musco Family Olives is the leading olive supplier in America!

    ReplyDelete
  3. RaySeptember 20, 2012 at 9:10 PM

    I enjoy topping my salads with delicious olives!

    ReplyDelete
  4. RaySeptember 20, 2012 at 9:12 PM

    I learned that Musco is a private family-owned company based in Tracy, CA! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sherrie C.September 20, 2012 at 10:02 PM

    I learned Musco Olive Co. was founded by Nicolo Musco who immigrated to the US from Italy in the 1920s.

    callawishes(at)hotmail(dot)com


    ReplyDelete
  6. Sherrie C.September 20, 2012 at 10:07 PM

    I like to slice up green olives in salad and black olives on pizza and tacos

    callawishes(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. DarleneSeptember 20, 2012 at 10:25 PM

    I learned that they are the only California olive producer that doesn't discharged into rivers or into the sea.

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  8. DarleneSeptember 20, 2012 at 10:29 PM

    I like olives in antipasto salad.

    ReplyDelete
  9. skkormanSeptember 20, 2012 at 10:34 PM

    I use black olives when I make Greek salad; I also love to just pop them in my mouth as a snack!

    skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  10. TadSeptember 21, 2012 at 12:25 AM

    I like olives in a salad.

    ReplyDelete
  11. GSeptember 21, 2012 at 7:35 AM

    Musco Olives is still a family-based business and the #1 Olive producer in the USA! Yeah!
    -Georgiana

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  12. GSeptember 21, 2012 at 7:36 AM

    I love eating olives just as is - straight out of the jar! Also enjoy with simply cheese and crackers which makes a great appetizer!
    Thank you! -Georgiana

    ReplyDelete
  13. debbieSeptember 21, 2012 at 9:44 AM

    I learned they are sold at krogers, target and walmart.

    My computer glitched, and I was unable to leave my gfc name- it is debbie.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Stephanie PhelpsSeptember 21, 2012 at 10:38 AM

    I learned that in the early 1980s, a 350-acre site in Tracy, California was selected as the new canning facility and headquarters.
    Stephanie Phelps
    my4boysand1@gmail.com

    side note your son is to cute and funny with the olives on his fingers

    ReplyDelete
  15. Stephanie PhelpsSeptember 21, 2012 at 10:42 AM

    I love to eat olives right out of the can or jar! :)
    Stephanie Phelps
    my4boysand1@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. BethEldertonSeptember 21, 2012 at 11:15 AM

    Wow! I love how they are dealing with the water salinity issue and using sustainable practices. I hope to see more companies following their lead. Safer and fairer business practices are a big factor in which brands I choose.
    bethelderton59 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. BethEldertonSeptember 21, 2012 at 11:19 AM

    We like to eat olives just like they are right out of the can/jar. I also love to put olives on Mediterranean sandwiches---yum!
    bethelderton59 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  18. AnonymousSeptember 21, 2012 at 2:39 PM

    olives are my go to meat substitute . in pasta, on pizza, salads, hummus and on my fingers!!

    shelleysbuttons at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Colleen MSeptember 22, 2012 at 1:46 AM

    I learned that their only business is olives, and this is reflected in their continuing dedication to the highest possible quality.

    colljerr at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
  20. Colleen MSeptember 22, 2012 at 1:53 AM

    I like green olives in my salad and black olives in my layered bean dip!

    colljerr at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
  21. psnyderSeptember 22, 2012 at 9:03 PM

    I learned that Olives straight from the tree are too bitter to eat without some kind of curing. grammypenny@frontier.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. llinda29September 22, 2012 at 10:28 PM

    I eat them in a salad

    ReplyDelete
  23. UnknownSeptember 23, 2012 at 8:19 PM

    I learned they Are based in so cali and use sustainable farming practices
    Ttrockwood@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. UnknownSeptember 23, 2012 at 8:21 PM

    I dip them in hummus and always add them to salads and pasta dishes
    Ttrockwood@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. WendySeptember 23, 2012 at 10:38 PM

    I learned that the company's motto is "making a good thing even better".

    ReplyDelete
  26. WendySeptember 23, 2012 at 10:43 PM

    I found the most awesome olive recipe on pinterest a while back. The link is:
    http://pinterest.com/pin/198439927302092273/

    ReplyDelete
  27. NancySeptember 26, 2012 at 12:32 PM

    I learned that they have Jalapeno Stuffed Olives as part of their Specialty line!

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  28. NancySeptember 26, 2012 at 12:35 PM

    I add sliced black and green olives as well as chopped onion to the top of a frozen pizza before I bake it to make it more special!

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  29. CherylS22September 26, 2012 at 6:15 PM

    I learned that:
    "At our 280-acre headquarters we're driving towards a 100% renewable production process with two clear goals - to create a better value for olive lovers, and to help the health of our planet."
    Thanks for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  30. CherylS22September 26, 2012 at 6:49 PM

    I like to eat olives in salads, dips & all by themselves.

    ReplyDelete
  31. StephanieSeptember 29, 2012 at 5:52 PM

    They only have this business, so they're dedicated. Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  32. HaroldeOctober 1, 2012 at 10:44 PM

    I love olives in everything, especially potato salad.

    hd6719@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  33. Melissa NortonOctober 3, 2012 at 1:36 PM

    I found a great puttanesca linguini recipe in their recipes section!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Melissa NortonOctober 3, 2012 at 1:38 PM

    I love olives stuffed with pickled garlic!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Mary SomervilleOctober 3, 2012 at 4:44 PM

    The olives oil signifies prosperity and purity.

    fatesfrost@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Mary SomervilleOctober 3, 2012 at 4:49 PM

    I like them on sandwiches, in salads & just eating them.

    fatesfrost@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. VikkilynOctober 3, 2012 at 7:24 PM

    I learned that they are the largest importer of consumer packaged olives.

    vikki.billings@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  38. VikkilynOctober 3, 2012 at 7:25 PM

    I love to eat my olives right out of the can!!

    vikki.billings@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. Mya MurphyOctober 3, 2012 at 8:03 PM

    family-based business!!

    myamurphy@mail.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. Mya MurphyOctober 3, 2012 at 8:08 PM

    heck, I love eating olives right out of the jar or can...lol Love em on pizza, in spaghetti...on Subway sandwiches!!!

    I'm an oliveaholic!!!

    myamurphy@mail.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. Terri POctober 4, 2012 at 2:42 AM

    I buy large green pitted olives, take them from the jar and stuff with slices of almond and habanero. Return to jar and chill. Place on home-made pizza and allow to cook.

    YUMMEH!!!

    Terri P
    pr4gatheringroses AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Terri POctober 4, 2012 at 2:47 AM

    The olive tree is revered as one of the longest-living and hardiest trees on earth. The Olive branch was carried by Noah's Dove.

    Terri P
    pr4gatheringroses AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  43. Sherry ConradOctober 4, 2012 at 8:52 AM

    They have a video featuring Musco Family Olive Co.'s award-winning sustainability initiatives

    discriminating_diva at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  44. katOctober 4, 2012 at 2:12 PM

    8 billion olive pits transformed into carbon-neutral energy, annually.
    kat_emerick@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  45. katOctober 4, 2012 at 2:14 PM

    I eat olives on pizza, salads and right out of the can.
    kat_emerick@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  46. kathy peaseOctober 4, 2012 at 5:53 PM

    The green olives are brought to the processing plant and left to rest for a day or two. This rest period softens the fruit, to protect the skin during curing. The olives are treated with a curing solution. All the fruit must be totally immersed in the curing solution to retain their green color. The olives then ferment for for up to two months. The fermented olives are hand-sorted, sized and graded, and then pitted and stuffed with a variety of flavors and packed into glass jars. Delicious on their own or in your martini!

    ReplyDelete
  47. kathy peaseOctober 4, 2012 at 5:56 PM

    i love adding black olives with imitation crab and a little mayo

    ReplyDelete
  48. cassandraOctober 4, 2012 at 6:13 PM

    I put my olives in salads!
    fb: rab pom

    ReplyDelete
  49. tavernieOctober 4, 2012 at 6:39 PM

    I love them stuffed with Cream Cheese!!!
    ptavernie at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  50. brich2222October 4, 2012 at 9:45 PM

    learned their canning facility is in Tracy, California

    ardy22 at earthlink dot net

    ReplyDelete
  51. Sarah YurgaOctober 4, 2012 at 9:55 PM

    Olives on pizza - but black ones only!!
    sarahyurga@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete

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