If you've ever come across tiny green, pea-sized ingredients floating in a jar of brine, you may have wondered: What exactly are capers?
These little flavor-packed buds can look unassuming, but they bring a distinctive combination of salty, tangy, slightly bitter, and pleasantly sharp flavor to all kinds of dishes.
Capers are especially popular in Mediterranean-inspired cooking and are a favorite ingredient in recipes such as chicken piccata, pasta dishes, seafood, sauces, and salads.
If you've never cooked with them before, don't be intimidated. Once you understand how capers work, they're surprisingly easy to use.
What Exactly Are Capers?
Capers are the unopened flower buds of the caper bush, a plant scientifically known as Capparis spinosa.
The buds are harvested before they bloom and are typically preserved in salt, vinegar, brine, or a combination of preservation methods.
Most capers sold in grocery stores are packed in jars, making them convenient to keep on hand.
Because they're preserved, capers have a naturally intense flavor. You generally don't need a large amount to make a noticeable difference in a dish.
What Do Capers Taste Like?
Capers are difficult to compare directly with another ingredient because their flavor is quite distinctive.
They're typically:
- Tangy
- Salty
- Briny
- Slightly bitter
- Mildly acidic
- Savory
Think of them as a small ingredient that adds a big burst of brightness.
Their salty, acidic character is particularly useful when a dish tastes rich or heavy and needs something to cut through that richness.
Are Capers the Same as Olives?
