This appears to be a pertinent question. Many of the hits that I get via the search engines come from people who are confused about capers. From “What is a caper”? to “Pictures of capers”, the queries come pouring in.
Here’s a general definition of the sort of caper that these searchers are looking for:
A pickled flower bud of a usually spiny Mediterranean shrub (Capparis spinosa), used as a pungent condiment in sauces, relishes, and various other dishes.
I seldom use capers in day-to-day cooking, however I admit that I often have them on hand, and I use them in exactly the manner mentioned above – used in sauces, relishes, salads, and other dishes that benefit from a little touch of “pickled”.
When we were first searching for a domain name to describe our “foodie” interests, a number of possibilites came to mind. Most, of course, were already taken. After a bit of brainstorming, “Cuisine Capers” became the obvious choice. It rolls off the tongue and has some nice alliteration. As an added bonus, the play on the word “Caper” was too appealing to pass up.
Of course, the meaning of Capers in Cuisine Capers runs more along the following lines:
A frivolous escapade or prank.
Yes, that works for me.
{ 26 comments… read them below or add one }
What is the food group for Capers?
Thanks – I thought they looked like baby artichokes.
very helpful….didnt know where you found them
ok thankyou i did not know what a caper was!
where do i look in the shop for them
You can usually find them in the pickle/pepper aisles of your local grocery store. They come in a small jar for about $3 or less.
It was mentioned in “Too Many Cooks” a Nero Wolfe book written
by Rex Stout. I was curious and here it is! THank you SO much!
Where can i get a bush?
I enjoy them in pasta salad with pesto dressing and lots of vegetables with or with out grilled chicken breast – try it. I also add as topping to meats such as chicken, beef tenderloin as a garnish and for flavor. Yes the brine is tart, but it really kicks up the flavor in dishes.
Capers are great!
I just had a Japanese lunch, and they were the garnish. My only concern though is with them being so salty, can people with high blood pressure eat em?
I love Capers but i’m not sure if a lot of people do. I am choosing dishes for my wedding and one dish has smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers, and toast points…is it safer to go with something else???
Thank you so much. I have seen and used capers but I really did not know what it was. I am glad I found your site it is nice
I want to know where I can buy capers? Like a grocery store or a special store that might cary them? How are they sold in a can, jar or in what. Thank you in advance
Where can I find them in a store?
Capers are located near the pickles. They are sold in a little jar.
try adding capers to ur tuna salad. u wont regret it..delicous
What is the best way to buy capers? Can they be stored?
Thanks for the info. Are they classified as an herb or spice?
I know they are salty. Just one of those things that I wanted
to know but never got around to asking.
Thank you. I too have always heard of capers, but didn’t know what they(it) were.
Capers are usually pickled, they are great with chicken either francaise or picata..enjoy
I knew I liked capers, but had no clue what they actually were. I’m making chicken picata tomorrow and had to figure it out, and this was exactly what I was looking for — thanks!
I just had a caper and it’s something that you would have to get use to. I don’t see me eatin them about once every 3 years. They are just not for me.
I just bought my first jar today. You can find them in the pickle section of any grocery store in a tiny jar . I love to eat them with warm or cold salmon.
I use them to jazz up my salads! They are.something different to enjoy.
we had capers in a little salad at lunch time , Grated apple carrot chopped walnuts chopped fetta capers chopped up chicken with a thin dressing drizzeled over all
then for dinner tonight we had caper in melted butter with the zest and juice cooked alltogether then spooned over the cooked orange roughy (fish) both were so delicious that I became very curious and wanted to know what are capers and where they came from . So glad I found your site thanks a million , we will be eating them more often now thanks
What are capers classified as?