[Sca-cooks] Capers caper

[Huette von Ahrens]

--- Susan Fox-Davis <selene at earthlink.net> wrote:

> From what plant do the buds which become capers
> grow?  I don't like capers much either, but it may
> be how they are prepared, so I'd like to try my hand
> at pickling them at home and see if that helps.
>
> Selene in Caid

Here's some information for you.

Huette

Common Names

English: caper, caperberry, caperbush
French: câprier, câpres, fabagelle, tapana
German: kapper, Kapernstrauch
Italian: cappero, capperone (fruit)
Spanish: alcaparro,caparra; alcaparr—n (berries)
Portuguese: alcaparra
Dutch: kappertjes
Russian: kapersy
Hungarian: kapricserje
Swedish: kapris
Finnish: kapris
Estonian: torkav, kappar
Egyptian: lussef
Bengali: kabra
Hindi: kiari, kobra
Punjabi: kabarra

Scientific Names
Species: Capparis spinosa L. (syn. Capparis rupestris)

also Capparis ovata Desf.
Family: Capparidaceae (or Capparaceae)

Culinary Uses

Capers of commerce are immature flower buds which have
been pickled in vinegar or preserved in granular salt.
Semi-mature fruits (caperberries) and young shoots
with small leaves may also be pickled for use as a
condiment.

Capers have a sharp piquant flavor and add pungency, a
peculiar aroma and saltiness to comestibles such as
pasta sauces, pizza, fish, meats and salads. The
flavor of caper may be described as being similar to
that of mustard and black pepper. In fact, the caper
strong flavor comes from mustard oil: methyl
isothiocyanate (released from glucocapparin molecules)
arising from crushed plant tissues.

Capers make an important contribution to the pantheon
of classic Mediterranean flavors that include: olives,
rucola (argula, or garden rocket), anchovies and
artichokes.

Tender young shoots including immature small leaves
may also be eaten as a vegetable, or pickled. More
rarely, mature and semi-mature fruits are eaten as a
cooked vegetable. Additionally, ash from burned caper
roots has been used as a source of salt.

Medicinal Uses

Capers are said to reduce flatulence and to be
anti-rheumatic in effect. In ayurvedeic medicine
capers (Capers=Himsra) are recorded as hepatic
stimulants and protectors, improving liver function.
Capers have reported uses for arteriosclerosis, as
diuretics,
kidney disinfectants, vermifuges and tonics. Infusions
and decoctions from caper root bark have been
traditionally used for dropsy, anemia, arthritis and
gout. Capers contain considerable amounts of the
anti-oxidant bioflavinoid rutin.

Caper extracts and pulps have been used in cosmetics,
but there has been reported contact dermatitis and
sensitivity from their use.

Origin

There is a strong association between the caperbush
and oceans and seas. Capparis spinosa is said to be
native to the Mediterranean basin, but its range
stretches from the Atlantic coasts of the Canary
Islands and Morocco to the Black Sea to the Crimea and
Armenia, and eastward to the Caspian Sea and into
Iran. Capers probably originated from dry regions in
west or
central Asia. Known and used for millennia, capers
were mentioned by Dioscorides as being a marketable
product of the ancient Greeks. Capers are also
mentioned by the Roman scholar, Pliny the Elder.

=====
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves for they
shall never cease to be amused.

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