What Are Pimentos and What Are They Doing in Your Olives?

While many children don’t want olives anywhere near their food, I had the exact opposite reaction. I loved them. I couldn’t get enough of them—green olives, specifically, the kind that come in a glass jar in the grocery store. Black olives, even on pizzas, I still found disgusting. 

So, ever since a young age, I’ve been well acquainted with the little red things in the center of some olives, known as pimentos. But if you, unlike me, weren’t a weird freak child who ate olives by the jarful, perhaps you have wondered, what is a pimento? What are pimentos made from? If you keep seeing the word “pimento” over and over again does it start to lose its meaning? Pimento. Pimento. Pimento. Oh, and it can also be spelled “pimiento.” Oof. Let’s get into it.

What is a pimento?

We know they sometimes live inside olives, but what are pimentos, exactly? Also known as cherry peppers, they are a variety of red, heart-shaped peppers. They are similar to bell peppers, and in fact the word “pimento” in Spanish is used for bell peppers. But they’re not exactly the same thing.

Are pimentos red peppers?

If you’re asking if pimentos are a pepper that is red in hue, the answer is yes. However, generally when we’re talking about red peppers, we’re referring to bell peppers. While pimentos are similar in appearance to a bell pepper, and in fact are the same species, they are in different “Grossum Groups,” meaning they’re bred for specific characteristics. 

Where do pimentos come from?

These peppers are most heavily associated with Spain, and Spanish olives are generally the ones with the pimentos inside them. However, pimentos are now widely grown. Today, it appears the state of Georgia can claim the crown as the nation’s capital for pimento growing and canning.

Are pimentos spicy?

There are absolutely hot versions of pimentos, but the ones that are widely available are quite mild. Technically, they register as a 100-500 SHU on the Scoville Scale. That should be mild enough for even the most spice-averse individuals.

What do pimentos taste like? 

Pimentos have a similar taste to red bell peppers, but not exactly the same. They are sweeter and juicier, with slightly more complex flavors. Keep in mind that the pimentos inside an olive are usually pureed, combined with a thickener, and formed into strips, so they will have a slightly different texture and flavor from fresh pimentos. 

What are pimentos used for?

Apart from being injected into olives, pimentos are probably most famous as a key component in a popular cheese spread. You may recall that Mike Ermantrout from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul enjoyed a nice pimento cheese sandwich. If you’ve got a hankering for one, you can usually find a premade version of pimento cheese in the cheese or spreads aisle of the grocery store. If that doesn’t work or you prefer a homemade variety, you can make your own easily enough. This recipe calls for shredded cheddar, parmesan, bleu cheese, mayo, Dijon mustard, and, of course, a heaping helping of the eponymous pepper. The resulting spread is tangy and sharp, flavorful enough to be enjoyed on its own but versatile enough to eat on or as a sandwich. 

Finally, pimento is also a star ingredient in the luncheon meat pimento loaf, which consists of beef and pork combined with pimento and relish, baked in a loaf and sliced for human consumption. I personally have never tried pimento loaf, and it sounds sorta gross, but then again, as someone who’s consumed more than his fair share of pimentos, I really shouldn’t judge.