spice
Capers
In a nutshell
Capers are pickled buds adding a tangy, salty twist to dishes.
Flavor profile
warm0
sweet0
pungent2
bitter1
floral0
earthy1
citrus1
smoky0
Aroma: pickled, lemony
Good to know
Origin: Mediterranean
Forms: pickled, brined
Storage: Store in brine in the refrigerator after opening.
How to use capers
Tart Garnish
Sprinkle capers on dishes for briny sharpness that balances rich sauces.
Cooking with Meats
Add capers to braised meats near the end to brighten heavy flavors with acidity.
What goes with capers
- Lemon. Lemon's acidity brightens the briny sharpness of capers.
- Anchovy. Salty, savory anchovy and briny, pungent capers are the backbone of puttanesca.
- Salmon. Capers' briny tang adds contrast to rich salmon.
- Mayonnaise. Capers' tang cuts mayonnaise's richness, as in tartar sauce.
- Olive. Capers and olives share a salty, briny punch in tapenade and sauces.
- Parsley. Parsley's fresh notes lighten capers' salty punch.
- Olive oil. Olive oil's fat mellows capers' sharpness.
- Garlic. Garlic intensifies capers' pungent and savory character.
- Onion. Onion sugars temper capers' salty sharpness.
- Cauliflower. Briny, pungent capers cut through cauliflower's mild, sweet flavor, as in roasted Sicilian-style dishes.
Mistakes to avoid
- Rinsing brine away reduces flavor.
- Overuse can overwhelm delicate dishes.
Ideas for tonight
- Use in a lemon-caper sauce for fish.
- Sprinkle over smoked salmon.
- Add to pasta for tangy contrast.
Capers: questions
What does capers taste like?
Capers are pickled buds adding a tangy, salty twist to dishes., with an aroma that is pickled, lemony.
What goes well with capers?
Capers pairs best with lemon, anchovy, salmon, mayonnaise, olive. Lemon's acidity brightens the briny sharpness of capers.
How do you use capers in cooking?
Tart Garnish: sprinkle capers on dishes for briny sharpness that balances rich sauces.
How should you store capers?
Store in brine in the refrigerator after opening.
What is the most common mistake with capers?
Rinsing brine away reduces flavor.
