Capers

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Although you think Capparis for fruits or vegetables, they are actually the flower buds of a nearly 2-meter creeping shrub called prickly caper (Capparis spinosa) from the olive family and growing in the Mediterranean. In the wild, you can find capers in Algeria, Central Asia, Iran, the Caucasus, but those that usually reach Bulgaria are grown in Southern Europe and North America.

The small buds of capers have been known to humans for millennia. Their first written mention is around 2700 BC, and we find information about them in the oldest preserved cookbook in the world. Capers are even mentioned in the Epic of Gilgamesh, which is one of the most ancient monuments of literature.

There is a theory that the word "capers" comes from the Greek name for the island of Cyprus (Cyprus). These plants grow in abundance in Cyprus, some species of capers grow in the Caucasus and on the Crimean rocks. Capers are prickly and amazingly resistant to natural conditions - they cope with the heat and salty sea breeze, and can grow on bare stone. Capersnik can be seen even on the famous Wailing Wall.

Capers from the Greek island of Santorini are considered the best in taste due to the high content of volcanic ash in the soil of the island. Thick small buds less than 1 cm in length are usually considered the best and most valuable. The fruits of capers are sweet and juicy and taste like watermelon. Their smell is similar to mustard, they have a slightly spicy taste.

The flower buds of the capers are collected between April and May and stay, after which they stay for 3 months in salt or a mixture of salt and olive oil. They undergo treatment, after which they acquire a dark green color. Capers are used fresh or pickled. The shape of the small caper buds is oval and slightly flattened and slightly elongated on one side. You can find it on the market several varieties of caperswhich bear the name of the geographical location from which they come

Composition of capers

In 100 g of capers are contained: 23 kcal, 2.36 g protein, 4.89 g carbohydrates and 0.86 g fat

Capers are enviably rich in vitamins, fiber, organic acids, and its buds contain about 25% protein and only 3% fat. In the chemical composition of the fruit we find a generous amount of vitamin C and iodine and sodium. Up to 36% oil is usually found in seeds. In fact, during processing, capers do not pass under the influence of heat, which allows them to retain the most useful ingredients.

Selection and storage of capers

Capers are delicate fruits, the collection of which is quite laborious. This implies their relatively high price. Highly valued in cooking are the smallest capers, and those that are grown in southern France are considered first class. They have a strong aroma and rich lemon flavor.

In the fresh state, the capers should be whole, firm, completely closed and with a dark, oily green color. Characteristic of these pimples is the mustard and spicy taste. They often turn brown after detachment, which requires treatment with copper salts to discolor them.

You will know that capers are old and of poor quality if they are blackened, softened and tasteless. In our country you can most often buy marinated capers in jars. Fresh capers and you can't find us.

Capers in cooking

Capers are a valuable ingredient in cooking and their use is associated with delicate flavoring of various dishes. They are mainly used in salads, sauces for various meats, fish or pasta. Marinated capers they can even be consumed on their own.

After harvesting, the small capers are dried in natural sunlight before being immersed in the marinade.

Widely used in pickles, and as a supplement to beef, chicken and game. It is traditional for the Caucasus region pickled capers. The culinary use of capers is mainly to enhance the taste of the main ingredient in the dish, as they usually give a slightly spicy and specific taste.

The ancient Greeks dried the fruits of capers and used them to sweeten dishes. In the salty marinade, the taste and aroma of capers are too sharp. In France and England, young shoots and leaves of capers are used in salads or for marinating with the buds. There is even caper honey, which can be tried in places where capers are grown en masse.

Here are 2 easy recipes for capers sauces suitable for pasta and fish:

Tomato sauce with capers

Necessary products: tomatoes - 4-5 pieces of garlic, 2-3 cloves of capers, 1 tbsp coriander - fresh to taste, olive oil - to taste

Method of preparation: Separate the soft part of the tomatoes and mix it with the crushed garlic, a little salt to taste and the finely chopped capers. Add the chopped coriander and mix with olive oil. This tomato sauce is quite suitable for flavoring pasta.

Fish sauce with capers

Necessary products: capers 2 tablespoons, marinated and drained olive oil - 4 tablespoons, wine vinegar - 1 tablespoon, ginger - 1/2 tsp. to dust

Method of preparation: Mix all the ingredients and serve as a sauce to grilled fish.

Benefits of capers

Today, capers are insanely popular in Western Europe because of their excellent nutritional qualities and because of their many beneficial properties:

1. Normalize blood sugar

Capers are very rich in useful fibers, which, in turn, affect the process of glucose absorption. This has a positive effect on blood sugar levels and even research has shown that capers have extremely strong antidiabetic properties. Due to these properties, they have a lowering effect on blood sugar, which is why they are very useful in diabetes.

2. Elimination of inflammation

The inflammatory process in the body is a type of protective reaction of the body, namely due to a number of factors that can be different. In the case of capers, they slow the growth of oncology and, more specifically, cancer cells. They can help reduce the inflammatory process and other health problems. They are also rich in antioxidants, which further help to minimize the inflammatory process.

3. Strengthen bone tissue

Capers are rich in magnesium and calcium, which are very important trace elements for our skeletal system. On the other hand, magnesium also plays a key role in keeping muscle tissue functioning properly, preventing spasms.

4. Maintenance of liver function

Capers contain a number of important vitamins and minerals that are involved in the work of the liver, protecting it from the negative effects of a number of factors. In addition, due to the presence of antioxidants, harmful substances are removed from the body, which significantly reduces the load on the body.

5. Strengthening the vessel walls

Thanks to their useful composition, capers help maintain vascular tone, and calcium - to strengthen their walls.

6. Prevent the formation of blood clots

They are most often formed as a result of excessive consumption of food, which is very saturated with cholesterol. It in turn accumulates on the walls of blood vessels, which eventually leads to blockage. Failure to take timely action and seek medical attention can lead to poor blood circulation and even stroke.

7. Provides a positive effect on renal function

Capers are used by traditional healers as a means of supporting kidney function. They also prevent the formation of stones.

8. Help the body absorb iodine

This trace element is essential for the functioning of the thyroid gland and beyond. Its deficiency causes disruption of the body, which leads to a number of diseases.

9. Supports the work of the nervous system

Capers are rich in many beneficial substances that have a beneficial effect on the entire nervous system. Therefore, they help reduce stress and prevent depression.

As already mentioned, caper pimples have been revered for millennia as a valuable food and even medicine. Lack of appetite can easily be overcome with a handful of capers before meals. It is believed that chewing capers helps with toothache and as a sedative for nervous tension.

The prepared decoction of the flowers of capers can help to quickly heal wounds, has a beneficial effect on strengthening the heart.

The decoction of the roots of the plant is also considered a good analgesic, and the decoction of the bark is used in neuroses. Apart from toothache, capers have a positive effect on diseases of the thyroid gland, and caper seed oil is used for massages. The fresh parts of capers have a proven clotting, antiseptic and analgesic properties.

Benefit for women from the consumption of capers

Capers are rich in vitamin A, which helps strengthen nails, hair and improve skin. Adding them to a woman's diet helps to slow down the aging process.

During pregnancy

Even if you are a mother-to-be, this does not mean that you cannot consume capers, but in smaller quantities. As already mentioned, they are very rich in calcium, which is the leading structural element of bone tissue. During pregnancy, a woman needs especially products that are rich in this trace element. Capers also help to increase immunity, which is very important in this period for every woman.

When breastfeeding

During lactation, it is important to pay special attention to what you eat. It is important that your menu is rich in foods that are rich in a number of valuable trace elements and vitamins that have a positive effect on health.

However, it is very important to be especially careful with capers, as they can cause allergies in babies. You can introduce them into your diet very slowly and with caution, but it is still best to consult a doctor beforehand. In any case, do not overdo it, as this can lead to swelling, which, in turn, is dangerous for the baby.

Benefits for men from the consumption of capers

It is important for the stronger sex to maintain a healthy heart and muscle tissue. The regular consumption of capers will help with this, as they are rich in a number of valuable substances that have a positive effect on these systems.

Benefits of capers for children

Not all children love capers. However, they are very good for health, having a strengthening effect on the immune system and the brain. That is why it is good to introduce them into the child's diet from an early age about 3-4 years to get used to them and eat them without problems.

In rare cases, capers can cause an allergic reaction. That is why they should be given to children in small portions with other dishes. If no adverse symptoms such as rash, redness or itching occur, the dose may be increased.

Among other things, capers are high in calcium and phosphorus. These trace elements are needed by the child's body to strengthen bone and muscle tissue.

Capers for weight loss

If you follow a certain diet for weight loss, then eating capers it won't hurt you in any way. They do not contain many calories and are rich in a trace element that promotes the breakdown of fat cells. Thanks to it, no oily layer is formed under the skin, so they are even useful if you want to lose weight.

Harm from capers

Despite all the advantages and benefits, they can not always be eaten, as in some cases they can harm the body. First of all, capers should not be eaten in diseases of the urinary system in the acute stage. This is due to the fact that pickled capers contain a large amount of salt. This results in water retention in the body, which in turn can provoke tissue swelling and further strain the excretory system.

No less important is that they should be consumed with caution during pregnancy, as excessive consumption can cause swelling, which is a dangerous condition for the baby.

Capers are contraindicated in gastric ulcer and gastritis. Also not recommended for consumption in the presence of diseases of the digestive system and flatulence or a tendency to it.

Consumption of capers is not recommended for people suffering from kidney, bile or liver problems.

See more recipes with capers.