Olive pitter

This olive pitter removes the stone from an olive in a single movement without crushing it: set the olive in the round cup, squeeze the two arms, and a punch pushes the stone out from underneath. It does the same job on cherries.

It is made of cast aluminium, with a steel spring between the arms that opens them again after each squeeze. Aluminium does not rust and stays light in the hand; the casting gives it rigidity.

Use it to prepare tapenade, stuff olives or simply serve them pitted with drinks. Rinse it in hot water after use, dry the spring well and store it somewhere dry. No dishwasher for aluminium, it greys and dulls. Very large or very firm olives go through less easily than standard-sized ones.