What olive variety from the Peloponnese is named after a city?

The Kalamata olive is the olive variety from the Peloponnese named after the city of Kalamata.

These olives are large, almond-shaped, and typically dark purple when fully ripe. They have a smooth, meaty texture and are widely served as table olives, often preserved in brine, wine vinegar, or olive oil. The variety is also used to produce olive oil.

The name refers to Kalamata in Messenia, in the southern Peloponnese. The growing area also includes nearby parts of Laconia. Because the olives are susceptible to bruising and cannot be harvested green, they are generally hand-picked after ripening.

A modern labeling issue creates occasional confusion. In the European Union, “Kalamata” is protected for olives and olive oil from the designated region. The same cultivar grown elsewhere is often sold as “Kalamon,” although countries outside the EU may use “Kalamata” more broadly. The answer therefore identifies both a cultivar and a protected regional name.