What are Capers?
Ever wondered what are the capers that you eat? Capers have extensive culinary uses especially in the Mediterranean regions. So what are capers really and what are capers made of?
Capers are the salted and pickled bud of the caper bush plant. The caper bush, also called Capparis Spinosa, is mostly found in the Mediterranean countries but has also been found in places which enjoy a rain filled spring and a relatively hot dry summer.
The caper bush grows rapidly on rocky surfaces and in between crevices. A caper bush can tolerate extreme heat in excess of 100 F. However, it cannot withstand temperatures below 56 F well.
This is why the caper bush is generally found in certain parts of Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Jordan, Israel, Spain, Italy, Australia and Malta. The caper bush needs ample sunshine throughout the day and can thrive in such weather.
During the harvest season, the caper buds slowly turn into a dark olive color which indicates that they are in their prime for picking. These olive colored caper buds are then picked and pickled. The pickling process consists of either pickling these buds in salt, salt and vinegar or simply drained.
Once pickled, the capers slowly gain a marked characteristic flavor, which is accentuated by the release of mustard from individual caper buds. These capers are then ready for various culinary uses. In fact, capers are very popular in many Italian cuisines. Culinary experts around the world are increasingly using capers in a wide variety of recipes and presentations.