What Do Capers Taste Like? [Definitive Guide]

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Most food critics report that the capers pack a flavorful punch. But not everyone agrees with this.

This article will cover what capers taste like and common questions related to its taste.

What Do Capers Taste Like?

Capers taste olivey, lemony and salty.

They are shaped like peas, only larger. But they are not perfectly spherical nor are they firm.

They can be wrinkled like raisins on the outside. Inside, they have a smooth texture once you get past the rough outer surface.

These plants come in bunches and can vary in sizes because of the different varieties that are used for cooking.

The most common is usually about the size of a blueberry or smaller.

Smaller capers taste different from the larger ones. The larger ones have a more robust flavour that can’t be missed.

Smaller capers’ flavour is more subtle. It has a pleasant aroma with a delicate taste.

Furthermore, capers have flavours that don’t necessarily come from them. Because of how they are preserved, come capers might have a vinegar taste.

The vinegar plus salty taste make them perfect for sauces and salads.

Some claim that capers remind them of a combination of mustard and black peppers.

What to Eat with Capers

Deciding what to eat with capers is not difficult, because they go with a lot of items.

Before you eat capers, rinse the vinegar-preserved variety thoroughly.

Thankfully, capers are very straightforward to use and require little preparation time.

Soak the salted capers in lukewarm water. Rinse off and soak a couple more times. This reduces the sodium content.

You can eat capers with pasta. Some cooks use roasted tomatoes and capers to make a special pasta dish.

Also, try combining capers and olives in your spaghetti dishes. This has a more mellow taste than roasted tomato pasta, but still a delight.

Fry your capers and you get a crispy treat. Also, use your capers to make a salad.

Caper salad includes several ingredients such as red onion, tomatoes, chive and capers.

You can also make a mushroom salad with honey and capers.

Caper Substitutes

You can substitute capers with the more common green olives. They fit in perfectly. The only difference is that they are much larger when the capers.

If you are using green olives, only use half the amount. Cut the olives into two and use that instead.

You can also use thyme as a substitute for capers. Thyme’s flavour is similar to capers. Therefore, if it is the feeling you want, the thyme herb works perfectly.

Add the thyme at the beginning of your cooking to allow the flavour to blend well. You can use both leaves and herbs of the thyme.

Dill pickles can also work as a perfect caper substitute. Use them in sauces and salads for the best replacement.

However, if what you want is the strong bitter taste of capers, dill pickles won’t work for you. They are both sweet and sour so they might taste slightly different.

For a visually similar substitute, try the green peppercorns. They look just like the capers.

But if you are going to use them in dishes in the place of capers, you first have to brine them.

Soak them in salt, turmeric powder and lemon for a few hours before use.

Can Pregnant Women Eat Capers?

Yes, pregnant women can eat capers.

Pregnancy cravings come in all tastes and textures too. If you’re looking for sour or tangy flavors, capers could be a great fit, adding a tangy taste to any meal you have.

Can You Freeze Capers?

Yes, you can freeze capers for an extended period.

Frozen capers are safe from any form of bacteria growth that might occur. This keeps them fresh for consumption even after a long period.

There’s a disadvantage — the quality of the capers might suffer. Therefore, try to use your frozen capers within a year.

Here’s how to freeze your capers:

  1. Strain the capers to get rid of brine.
  2. Put them in sealable freezer bags in small quantities. This helps you defrost only what you need per time.
  3. Store them in the freezers

Are Capers Healthy?

Capers have lots of health benefits when you make them a regular in your diet.

They are rich in vitamins, antioxidants, and fibres. They also have low-calorie content.

They contain potent flavonoids like Quercetin. They yield up to 234 milligrams of the stuff per 100 grams of capers. This makes them the highest plant source for it.

The antioxidant quercetin supports health issues like heart disease and asthma.

Capers also contain fibres. Fibres support weight loss and prevent constipation.

They are low in calories, further supporting weight loss. You can eat several capers without fear of weight gain.

Capers are good for weak bones. They have a surprising amount of calcium in them.

They also have magnesium and vitamin K. They keep your bones healthy.

To Sum Up

Capers are mostly healthy and a great addition to some recipes.

They taste particularly delicious when combined with pasta recipes in the right way.

Try cooking your capers with different dishes to find the ones you like best.