what is a caper?

Question

what is a caper and why would ASDA even think to put capers in with their olives jars?

Answer 1

Its a kind of fish isnt it?

Answer 2

Capers are the green flower buds from the Capparis Spinosa bush. Capers are actually immature buds that are picked from bushes and are used as seasoning in many dishes. The caper bush grows extensively in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern region and so it is most often used in their native cuisine. Capers are also cultivated in Spain, Cyprus, Sicily, Greece and France. When the capers are freshly picked, it does not have any tangy or zesty flavor but it is somewhat bitter. But after sun drying them and then brining, it develops a sharp flavor which can impart a certain savoriness to a dish. Capers comes in a variety of sizes, from peppercorn sized ones to ones that are as large as olives. Smaller the size of capers, the more valuable it is regarded to be.

Answer 3

Caper

A Caper (Capparis spinosa L.) is a biennial spiny shrub that bears rounded, rather fleshy leaves and big white to pinkish-white flowers. A caper is also the pickled bud of this plant. The bush is native to the Mediterranean region, growing wild on walls or in rocky coastal areas throughout. The plant is best known for the edible bud and fruit which are usually consumed pickled. Other species of Capparis are also picked along with C. spinosa for their buds or fruits.

Culinary Uses
Salted capers.
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Salted capers.
Pickled Capers in a jar
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Pickled Capers in a jar

The pickled and salted caper bud (also called caper) is often used as a seasoning or garnish. Capers are a common ingredient in Mediterranean cuisine. The grown fruit of the caper shrub is also used, and prepared similarly to the buds to be used as caper berries.

The buds, when ready to pick, are a dark olive green and about the size of a kernel of maize. They are picked, then pickled in a vinegar or vinegar and salt solution.

Capers are often enjoyed in cold smoked salmon or cured salmon dishes, salad, pizza, pasta and sauces. Capers are also sometimes substituted for olives to garnish a martini.

Capers are categorized and sold by their size, defined as follows, with the smallest sizes being the most desirable: Non-pareil (0-7 mm), surfines (7-8 mm), capucines (8-9 mm), capotes (9-11 mm), fines (11-13 mm), and grusas (14+ mm).

Caper berries can be substituted with unripe nasturtium seeds, which have a very similar texture and flavour when pickled.

Medicinal Uses

In Greek popular medicine a herbal tea made of caper root and young shoots is considered to be beneficial against rheumatism. Dioscoride (MM 2.204t) also provides instructions on the use of sprouts, roots, leaves and seeds in the treatment of strangury and inflammation.

Answer 4

Capers are the flower buds from a shrub. They are delicious and go very well with things like olives and fish. They are the slightly sour ingredient in Tartare sauce - the little green bits!

I didnt like them when I first saw them (I was only little and mum was having a dinner party - I saw her eating one from the jar) but once tasted I was addicted, and now a jar will only last a day in my house!

Ive been known to add them to a cocktail stick with an olive and a pickled onion in my dry martini!

Answer 5

A caper is a flower bud from the caper plant (shrub) which is picked and used as a condiment. They are salty and nice and i like them. They go well with olives which is why ASDA put them in there!

Answer 6

Capers are the buds of the caper bush.

Answer 7

Capers are pickled Nasturtium seeds.
Lovely - had them on my pizza last night.

Nasturtium is a leafy groundcover plant with bright orange (& various other colours now) flowers - they also trail and hang from hanging baskets. When the flower is finished - the ovule swells into a seed - and that is the bit that is pickled and eaten.
Quite a unique taste.

Answer 8

Capers are small like pepper corns and taste sour obviously as they as soaked in Brine..

Answer 9

caper is a small gree bud like thing which is pickled in in vinegar or in brine. its used commonly in italian food and tastes really sour... they are lovely! the reason they put them in with olives is because when used to together in pastas or pizzas, they taste very nice! try them!

Answer 10

a caper is a daring escapade that does not always go the way its planned, often with hilarious results.

Answer 11

They are fantastic also in a favourite dish of mine: Boiled Eggs with potatoes and cream mustard sauce.