I’m going to just come right out and say it: Capers are weird. Now, this isn’t to say that’s a bad thing. I personally love capers. But they certainly go into that category with olives, pickles, water chestnuts, and other foods whose appeal is a briny squish.
Even beyond their particular flavor and texture, capers are challenging. For some reason, my brain always mixes them up with shallots, even though they’re extremely different. And they have a confusing name. Why are they called the same thing as a crime plan or a dance? (This article is not going to answer that question, by the way, but it is a maddening etymological query.)
Capers are weird little guys. Where do capers come from? What are capers used for? And are they olives or what? Here’s all the answers that I’m caper-able of giving you (I’m so sorry).
What plant are capers from?
The caper is an edible flower bud that grows on the caper bush (easy enough to remember). Caper bushes are a perennial, sweet-smelling shrubbery that also produce caper berries and leaves that are used in Greek cuisine. However, capers themselves are by far the most popular byproduct of this plant.
They come in multiple sizes, with the smaller being the most desirable: non-pareil (up to 7 mm), surfines (7–8 mm), capucines (8–9 mm), capotes (9–11 mm), fines (11–13 mm), and grusas (14+ mm).
What do capers taste like?
Once they’re picked, they’re pickled, so the answer is a bit like pickles, but generally not as tart or vinegary but a lot saltier than your typical pickled cucumber variety.
Where do capers come from?
As discussed above, capers are the flower bud of the caper bush. Caper bushes, or Capparis spinosa as they are known formally, are indigenous to the Mediterranean and surrounding regions. Basically, anywhere with an arid or semi-arid environment is going to be a great place for caper bushes to grow, flower, and eventually have their buds be turned into capers.
Do capers go bad?
Capers are pickled, and pickling is a preserving process, but that’s not enough to prevent them from spoiling when they’re exposed to the elements. Capers can certainly go bad, but it should be fairly obvious due to the rancid taste and clear appearance of mold or fungus.
Do capers need to be refrigerated?
An unopened can or jar of capers can sit comfortably in your pantry for months. But once it’s been opened, it should live out the rest of its days in the fridge. As with other briny products like pickles or olives, refrigeration is still required.
What are non-pareil capers?
The term “non pareil” means, literally, without parallel. There’s also a candy called nonpareils, which, while delicious, have nothing to do with capers. In the caper context, “non pareil” refers to the teeniest, most delicate and delectable buds available. These small capers are the most prized version, so they tend to be more expensive, but you can absolutely use larger pareils—just keep in mind they have a stronger flavor profile.
Are capers a vegetable?
Capers are the flower buds of the caper bush. So they are made of vegetation. But can a flower be classified alongside a carrot and celery as one of the canonical vegetables? Technically an artichoke is a flower bud and cauliflower and broccoli are clusters of flower buds. So, if you think those are vegetables, then capers are vegetables too.
Are capers vegan?
Capers are, as we’ve established, flower buds, which are made entirely from plant matter, and the pickling process contains no animal products whatsoever. Thus, capers are completely vegan. The accompanying cream cheese and salmon, however, are definitely not.
What are capers used for?
Jar of capers in hand, heading to the grocery store check out, you might be asking yourself: What are capers used for? Fret not, they have multiple uses as an ingredient or garnish. They are one of the components of tartar sauce, for example. The big ones can be used instead of olives as a Martini garnish. But perhaps most important of all, they are terrific with salmon—If you’ve ever had bagels and lox, you’ve likely had some capers chilling out next to the onions and tomato slices. Another great dish utilizing this pair is this Garlic Caper Butter Baked Salmon. This recipe calls for three tablespoons of capers, but if you’re like me, you may want to just pour the entire jar on there.
Where are capers in the grocery store?
Now that you know what capers are, where are capers in the grocery store? This is a reasonable question since, as discussed, capers are kind of their own thing and don’t quite fit in anywhere perfectly. These misfits can typically be found alongside your assorted pickles and olives in the condiment section. If you don’t find them there, they might be hiding in the international aisle. But beware, their narrow glass containers can be a little difficult to spot.
