If you’re a fan of salad bars or puttanesca sauce, you may be familiar with capers.
They are those sharp-tasting little green buds that garnish many salads and other dishes.
But what exactly are capers?
Photo: Getty Images
Discover everything you gotta know about these pungent little green guys.
What Are Capers?
Today, the perennial plant is grown worldwide, from Iran to Australia.
Are Capers the Same as Caper Berries?
Capers are not the same as caper berries, though they come from the same plant.
Their coloring, size and shape, however, make them closely resemble green olives.
Compared to capers, caper berries are milder in taste.
What Do Capers Taste Like?
The flavor of capers can be difficult to describe because their profile is specific and unique.
Capers taste like, well, capers.
Fresh capers are vegetal, floral, bitter and slightly tart-tasting.
Though the methods are different, the resulting flavors are similar: salty, briny and tangy capers.
The aromatic and vegetal qualities are reduced but still present, and the overall flavor remains sharp.
Once the container is opened, capers can be kept in the refrigerator for 5 to 7 days.
Generally speaking, capers are defined by their stage of development.
you could find out the caper bang out on the packaging label.
The larger the caper buds, the tougher the texture.
Should I Rinse Capers?
To reduce thesalt in capers, rinse them with water to wash off the brine or salt.
This method is recommended for people on alow-sodium diet, such as those withkidney diseaseorhigh blood pressure.
How to Use Capers
Capers can be added to many different types of dishes.
We even like them for dip, like in our 3-Ingredient Smoked Fish Dip with Capers.
Serve it with baguette slices at your next dinner gathering.
These green buds pair well with seafood entrees likefish stew,salmonandscallops.
Finally, these versatile green buds taste amazingly delicious with eggs, as well as on sandwiches.
Try them in our Egg Salad & Avocado Toast with Capers andGreen Goddess Sandwichrecipes.
The Bottom Line
Capers offer a savory and bold flavor pop in tiny spherical packaging.
A small amount of capers goes a long way.
