Capers are a small, round, pickled flower bud that comes from the caper bush, Capparis spinosa. They are commonly used as a seasoning or garnish in various Mediterranean and Italian dishes, particularly in sauces, dressings, and salads.
Capers have a tangy, salty flavor and a firm texture, and they are typically sold in jars or in brine. They can be used whole or chopped, and they are often paired with fish or meats, such as smoked salmon or veal. Capers are also a common ingredient in classic dishes like chicken piccata, spaghetti alla puttanesca, and tapenade.
What is Capers?
In addition to their culinary uses, capers are also believed to have some health benefits. They are high in antioxidants and may have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
Capers Class of Plant
Capers come from the caper bush, which is a perennial plant species known as Capparis spinosa. The caper bush is part of the Capparaceae family, which also includes other edible plants such as mustard, horseradish, and nasturtium.
What is Capers? The caper bush is native to the Mediterranean region and is widely cultivated in countries such as Italy, Spain, France, and Greece. The plant thrives in hot and arid climates and is often grown in rocky and coastal areas.
Apart from capers, other parts of the caper bush are also used in cooking and traditional medicine. For instance, the unripe fruit of the caper bush, known as caper berries, is also used as a food ingredient, while the plant’s roots and bark are used in herbal remedies.
Cultivation of Capers
What is Capers? The caper bush (Capparis spinosa) is a hardy perennial plant that is well adapted to grow in arid and semi-arid regions of the Mediterranean, North Africa, the Middle East, and some parts of Asia. Here are some key aspects of caper cultivation:
Climate and soil: The caper bush thrives in a hot, dry climate with mild winters and moderate rainfall. It can tolerate poor soil conditions, but prefers well-drained, alkaline soil with a pH range of 7.0 to 8.5.
What is Capers? Propagation: Capers can be propagated through seeds or by stem cuttings. The cuttings should be taken from mature plants and planted in a well-drained potting mix. They can be rooted under mist or by using rooting hormones.
Planting: Caper plants are typically planted in late winter or early spring, after the last frost. The plants should be spaced about 3 to 4 feet apart and trained to grow on trellises or wires to facilitate harvesting.
What is Capers? Care and maintenance: Caper plants require minimal care, but they need regular watering during the first few years to establish a strong root system. They should be pruned annually to promote new growth and remove dead or damaged branches.
Harvesting: Capers are harvested by hand when the buds are still small and tightly closed, typically in the morning before they open. The buds are then dried or pickled in vinegar or brine for culinary use.
What is Capers? Overall, caper cultivation can be a profitable and sustainable enterprise for farmers in arid regions with limited water resources.
Capers Harvest
Capers are harvested by hand when the buds are still small and tightly closed, typically in the morning before they open. The harvesting process requires a delicate touch, as the buds are fragile and easily damaged.
What is Capers? Here are some steps involved in harvesting capers:
Timing: The caper buds should be harvested when they are still small and tightly closed, typically in the early morning before they open. This is usually between May and August, depending on the region.
What is Capers? Tools: Harvesting capers requires a small, sharp knife or pair of scissors, as well as a basket or container to collect the buds.
Method: The caper buds are carefully snipped off the stem using the knife or scissors, being careful not to damage the surrounding foliage. They are then placed in the basket or container.
What is Capers? Sorting: After harvesting, the buds are sorted by size and quality. The smaller, more tender buds are typically more desirable for culinary use.
Preservation: The harvested caper buds are then pickled or dried for culinary use. To pickle capers, they are rinsed to remove excess salt, then placed in a jar with vinegar or brine. To dry capers, they are spread out on a tray and allowed to air dry in a warm, dry place.
What is Capers? Harvesting capers is a labor-intensive process, but it is an important economic activity in regions where caper cultivation is common.
Uses of Capers
What is Capers? Capers are widely used in Mediterranean and Italian cuisine as a flavoring and garnishing ingredient. Here are some common uses of capers in cooking:
What is Capers? Sauces: Capers are often used to flavor sauces, such as the classic Sicilian sauce, “capers and olives.” They are also a key ingredient in the French sauce, “tartar sauce.”
Salads: Capers are often used as a flavoring ingredient in salads, such as Nicoise salad or potato salad.
Meat and fish dishes: Capers are often paired with meat and fish dishes to add a tangy, salty flavor. They are commonly used in dishes like chicken piccata, veal saltimbocca, and smoked salmon.
What is Capers? Pasta dishes: Capers are commonly used in pasta dishes, such as spaghetti alla puttanesca, where they are added to the tomato sauce for extra flavor.
Garnish: Capers are often used as a garnish for various dishes, such as pizza, bruschetta, and crostini.
What is Capers? Apart from culinary uses, capers are also used in traditional medicine for various purposes, such as improving digestion and reducing inflammation. They are also believed to have antioxidant and anti-cancer properties.
Health Benefits
Capers have several potential health benefits due to their nutrient content and bioactive compounds. Here are some potential health benefits of capers:
What is Capers? Rich in antioxidants: Capers are a good source of flavonoid antioxidants, such as quercetin and rutin, which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
Anti-inflammatory effects: The flavonoids and other compounds in capers have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, which may help to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
What is Capers? May improve digestion: Capers contain compounds that have been shown to stimulate digestive enzymes and improve digestion. They may also help to alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other digestive disorders.
Low in calories: Capers are very low in calories, with only about 5 calories per tablespoon. This makes them a good choice for people who are trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.
What is Capers? May improve cardiovascular health: The flavonoids in capers have been shown to have beneficial effects on blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which may help to improve cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of heart disease.
It’s important to note that more research is needed to fully understand the health benefits of capers. Additionally, capers are often consumed in small amounts as a flavoring or garnishing ingredient, so their health benefits may be limited.
Nutritional Facts
What is Capers? Capers are a low-calorie food that contains a variety of essential nutrients. Here are some nutritional facts about capers:
Macronutrients: One tablespoon (8 grams) of capers contains approximately 2 calories, 0.1 grams of protein, 0.4 grams of carbohydrates, and 0.1 grams of fat.
What is Capers? Vitamins and minerals: Capers are a good source of several essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin K, vitamin A, calcium, and iron.
What is Capers? Antioxidants: Capers are a rich source of flavonoid antioxidants, including quercetin and rutin.
Sodium content: Capers are high in sodium, with one tablespoon (8 grams) of capers containing approximately 117 milligrams of sodium. As such, people who are on a low-sodium diet should be cautious when consuming capers.
In summary, capers are a nutrient-dense food that provides several essential vitamins and minerals. However, they are high in sodium and should be consumed in moderation, particularly by those who need to limit their sodium intake.
Recipes
What is Capers? Here are a few recipes that use capers as a key ingredient:
Spaghetti alla Puttanesca:
Ingredients:
1 pound spaghetti
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup capers, drained
1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions:
What is Capers? Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente.
While the spaghetti is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Add the crushed tomatoes, capers, and olives to the skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes, until the sauce has thickened.
What is Capers? Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss with the sauce until well coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley.
Lemon and Caper Chicken:
What is Capers? Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup capers, drained
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons butter
What is Capers? Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions:
What is Capers? Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them to an even thickness.
Season the flour with salt and pepper and dredge the chicken breasts in the flour, shaking off any excess.
What is Capers? Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.
In the same skillet, add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the chicken broth, capers, and lemon juice and bring to a simmer. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until the sauce has thickened slightly.
What is Capers? Remove the skillet from the heat and swirl in the butter until melted and incorporated into the sauce.
Serve the chicken hot, topped with the lemon-caper sauce and garnished with chopped parsley.
Tomato and Caper Bruschetta:
What is Capers? Ingredients:
1 large tomato, diced
1/4 cup capers, drained
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 slices of crusty bread, toasted
1 clove garlic, peeled
What is Capers? Instructions:
In a bowl, combine the diced tomato, capers, basil, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss to combine.
What is Capers? Rub the toasted bread slices with the garlic clove to infuse them with garlic flavor.
Top the bread slices with the tomato-caper mixture and serve immediately.
Summary
Capers are the unripe flower buds of a shrub-like plant that grows in Mediterranean regions. They are often pickled in vinegar or salt and used in various dishes to add a tangy, salty flavor. Capers are low in calories but contain essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin K, vitamin A, calcium, and iron. They are also a rich source of flavonoid antioxidants, including quercetin and rutin. However, they are high in sodium and should be consumed in moderation, particularly by those who need to limit their sodium intake. Capers can be used in a variety of recipes, including Spaghetti alla Puttanesca, Lemon and Caper Chicken, and Tomato and Caper Bruschetta.
Healthy Recommendations
What is Capers? Here are some healthy recommendations regarding capers:
Use in moderation: While capers are a nutritious food, they are high in sodium and should be consumed in moderation, particularly by those who need to limit their sodium intake.
Pair with other healthy foods: Capers can be a great addition to a healthy meal when paired with other nutrient-dense foods such as fresh vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
What is Capers? Experiment with low-sodium options: Consider using low-sodium capers or rinsing regular capers before use to reduce their sodium content.
Incorporate into a balanced diet: Remember that capers are just one part of a balanced diet. Be sure to eat a variety of other healthy foods to ensure that you are getting all the nutrients you need.
What is Capers? Consult with a healthcare professional: If you have specific dietary concerns or health conditions, it is always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian to determine the best approach to incorporating capers into your diet.
References
Grieve, M. (1971). A Modern Herbal: The Medicinal, Culinary, Cosmetic and Economic Properties, Cultivation and Folk-lore of Herbs, Grasses, Fungi, Shrubs, & Trees with All Their Modern Scientific Uses, Volume 1. Dover Publications. What is Capers?
USDA FoodData Central. Capers, canned. Retrieved from https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169977/nutrients
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Sodium and Salt. Retrieved from https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/sodium-and-salt/ What is Capers?
Live Science. Capers: Health benefits and nutrition facts. Retrieved from https://www.livescience.com/50638-caper-benefits.html
Medical News Today. Everything you need to know about capers. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320032 What is Capers?
The Spruce Eats. 12 Recipes That Make the Most of Capers. Retrieved from https://www.thespruceeats.com/recipes-with-capers-4684180 What is Capers?
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