Last month I had the great opportunity to be in Italy. While driving through Tuscany we stopped the car and I picked a ripe olive off a tree and popped it in my mouth. I almost threw up. I didn't know they were cured before you ate them.
We buy raw olives at the food terminal by the bag or box. We cure them in brine. You must change the brine several times over the course of a week or ten days. Very tasty.