TIL what a caper is

TripUpStairs

5759

Capparis Spinosa bloom

The bloom lasts about sixteen hours. See those little green buds the ants are crawling on? They are picked and preserved to make capers.

Apparently they are inedible (very bitter), before pickling them.

They are a bramble type bush, and thrive in the Mediterranean. It is a hearty plant once established, and they even grow on stone buildings. This causes damage to the building over time. Reminds me of bougainvillea here in Hawaii. Prickly bastards if you have to cut them back.

If you want to try your hand at growing your own, here is a guide: https://gardenerspath.com/plants/herbs/how-to-grow-capers/

til

gardening

yummy

tomatoboy

Thanks! I knew what they were, but had never actually seen them.

5 years ago |

noon3r

I use capers a lot in cooking, so I planted some to have my own. Fermented my MASSIVE crop of 9 capers in salt brine. Pics to follow. 1/2

This is the mature caper with seeds inside. Going to plant some seeds this year and also cuttings.

How long did they need to ferment?

Can't remember exactly as I ferment so many different items. Probably 1-2 weeks. A couple days after bubbling stops.

You can see the unopened buds, which are the capers and an open flower.

I was reading that after the flower blooms little berries appear, which are pickled to make caperberries. I commend your gardening efforts!

The seed pod appears after the flower and it just good for seeds for planting. Capers are unopened (immature) flower buds.

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