SHARONLLOYD

ON LIFE’S LITTLE INCIDENTS

I read a quote recently that ‘you know you’re getting old when you start liking food you hated as a child.’ I smiled, as I happily pile swede and parsnips on my Sunday dinner plate nowadays, whereas the ten-year-old me would have scraped them in the bin without hesitation. However, I also know that there are certain foods that I’ll never develop a taste for, with olives topping the list. My first encounter with the fruit of the devil was on a fancy night out many years ago. There was a small dish of what I assumed were black grapes on the bar. It was only when I popped one in my mouth I realised my mistake, and that awful taste stayed with me a long time afterwards. Bleurgh.

Sometimes I will stand at the deli counter in the supermarket, gazing at the huge selection of olives on offer, and realising how many varieties of this horrible taste are available. I love my holidays in Corfu, where you’re surrounded by olive groves and it’s the national nibble. It was suggested I’d enjoy the ‘real’ fruit eaten in its homeland , where they taste far nicer... but alas, no. I still avoided them, apart from the day I went on a day-trip which included a visit to a distillery on one of the stops. We were invited by the guide to sample all things local. I reached out for a small piece of chocolate that my eyes were instantly drawn to, only to realise as soon as it was in my mouth that it was actually a crushed olive. Oh no! I had to eat it, being far too posh to spit it out in the company of strangers. I’ll happily spend the rest of my life avoiding olives, so if ever you see me dining out and they’re on the menu, you’re more than welcome to my share.