Capers are the pickled, unopened flower buds harvested from the perennial shrub Capparis spinosa. Known for their intense, tangy, and salty flavor profile, these tiny buds are a cornerstone of Mediterranean cooking, enhancing sauces, salads, and seafood dishes globally. Their unique taste, often described as a mix of lemon, olive, and mustard, is developed through a curing process, typically in salt or vinegar brine.
Identifying the Caper Plant
The caper plant (Capparis spinosa) is a sprawling, deciduous shrub that typically reaches about one meter in height. It features thick, rounded, fleshy leaves and a deep root system that allows it to thrive in challenging environments. The plant produces large, showy, white to pinkish-white flowers with numerous violet-colored stamens, though each flower only lasts for a single day.
The edible caper is the dark olive-green flower bud, which is picked by hand before it blooms. If the bud is left on the shrub, it develops into the caperberry, an oblong, multi-seeded fruit that is also pickled but is distinct from the smaller, more prized caper bud. The buds are graded by size, with the smallest varieties, such as the nonpareils, commanding the highest price due to their delicate texture and flavor.
Global Centers of Caper Cultivation
Caper cultivation is concentrated almost exclusively in the circum-Mediterranean region, where the plant is native and the climate is ideal. Italy is a significant producer, particularly the islands of Sicily and Pantelleria, which are well-regarded for their high-quality capers. Pantelleria capers are internationally recognized for their flavor and preservation methods.
Spain is another major global producer, cultivating the caper bush across its arid, southern regions. Production is also substantial in North Africa, with Morocco being a key contributor to the global supply of processed capers. The plant is well-adapted to the environments of Greece, Cyprus, and Turkey, but commercial cultivation in these areas is less widespread than in the top producing countries.
Specific Climate and Soil Requirements
Capparis spinosa flourishes in hot, arid climates and requires full sun exposure to produce its flower buds. It is highly drought-tolerant, a trait facilitated by its deep root structure which seeks out moisture far below the surface. The caper bush prefers poor, stony, or gravelly soils that are sharply drained, often growing spontaneously in rock crevices and on stone walls.
It does not tolerate waterlogged conditions or excessive summer rain, which would cause root rot. The plant is also naturally tolerant of salt, allowing it to grow successfully in coastal areas and saline soil environments.