Caper

Prepared Food AddinsAromaticBrinySaltyTangyLemonyFloralBitter

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories: 23
Protein (g): 2.36
Fat (g): 0.86
Carbs (g): 4.89
Fiber (g): 3.2
Sodium (mg): 2960

Values reflect brined capers; rinsing and draining reduce sodium. Salt-packed varieties taste more intense.

Storage

Room temp: up to 365 days
Refrigerated: up to 90 days
Frozen: up to 0 days

Caper is the unopened flower bud of Capparis spinosa, small olive-green spheres packed in brine or salt. Briny, lemony, and pleasantly bitter, it brings a burst of savory pop to sauces, salads, and seafood. Use whole to finish pan sauces or chop into dressings, tapenade, and pasta dishes; commonly sold brined or salt-packed in sizes from nonpareil to capote.

Native to the Mediterranean, capers were developed as a salted and fermented preserve and spread through Southern European and North African cuisines. Traditional processing involves sun-wilting the buds and curing in salt or vinegar before packing for export.