DESCRIPTION
The Caper plant is a shrub-like plant, with many branches. It has leaves of varying sizes, with some thick, some shiny, some round and some ovate. Its flowers has 4 asymmetrical white-colored petals, with many long violet-coloured stamens and a single stigma (violet with a rounded green tip) which rises well above the other stamens.
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| The flower of the Caper plant. Note its stigma, which is much more taller and larger than the other stamens. |
The spice known as "Caper", is in fact, the unbloomed flower bud from the plant known as Capparis Spinosa. It is also known as the Caper Bush, Caperberry or also known as Flinder's rose. Except for its flower, the entire Caper plant has in fact been used in cusines.
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| A flowering patch of Caper plants. |
 The unbloomed buds and leaves of the Caper plant. |
The Caper plant is believed to have originated from the dry regions in west or central Asia. In the last few decades, it has been introduced in some European countries, and has now become a staple spice in some of them.
The Caper plant has its earliest documented origins in that of ancient Greece; it was used to combat flatulence then. In those works, it is represented as carbonated seeds.
In De Materia Medica, a medicinal book written by Dioscorides (a Greek Physician, Pharmacologist and Botanist.), it was mentioned that the Caper plant was a marketable product of the ancient Greeks.
Capers are also mentioned in the works of Pliny the Elder, a Roman scholar.
In 1885, a detailed drawing of Capparis Spinosa was published in a book written by Otto Wilhelm Thomé.
ETYMOLOGY
The root word for its name "Capers" can be traced to that of the Classical Latin word capparis. The root word for the Classical Latin word capparis, in turn, was borrowed from the Greek word "kapparis" [κάππαρις].
A theory suggests that the origins of the Greek word "kapparis" [κάππαρις] is based off the name of the island Cyprus (Kypros [Κύπρος]), where the Caper plant grows abundantly.
USAGE
The Caper plant has been said to reduce flatulence and to be anti-rheumatic in effect. In ayurvedeic medicine, the Caper plant is recorded as a hepatic stimulants and protectors, and is said to be able to improve liver function.
The Caper plant have been reportedly used to treat arteriosclerosis; used as diuretics, kidney disinfectants, vermifuges and tonics. Infusions and decoctions from Caper root bark have been traditionally used for dropsy, anemia, arthritis and gout. In fact, the Caper plant contains considerable amounts of the anti-oxidant bioflavinoid rutin.
The Caper plant that are sold commercially are often immature flower buds which have been pickled in vinegar or preserved in granular salt. The semi-mature fruits of the Caper plant (known as caperberries) and its young shoots, along with its small leaves may also be pickled for use as a condiment.
The Caper plant; the pickled flower bud, has a salty taste (due to it being pickled), and has a sharp piquant flavor. It is used often in foodstuffs such as pasta sauces, pizza, fish, meats and salads.
To be specific, the flavor of the Caper plant may be described as being similar to that of mustard and black pepper. In fact, the strong flavor of the Caper plant comes from mustard oil (methyl isothiocyanate) which arises when the Caper plant is crushed.
The tender young shoots of the Caper plant, including that of the small leaves, can be pickled, or be cooked and eaten.
More rarely, mature and semi-mature fruits of the Caper plant are also eaten as a cooked vegetable.
Additionally, ash from burned caper roots has been used as a source of salt.
RECIPE
The Caper plant can be used in the cooking of Spaghetti alla puttanesca (It is also known as Harlot Spaghetti.)
Here is a link to a recipe made by Jamie Oliver:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/jamie-oliver/spaghetti-puttanesca-recipe.html
Did You Know?
- The taste of the Caper plant is considered to be a classic Mediterranean flavor.
Capers are also mentioned in the works of Pliny the Elder, a Roman scholar.
In 1885, a detailed drawing of Capparis Spinosa was published in a book written by Otto Wilhelm Thomé.
 |
| A picture of Capparis Spinosa, drawn by Otto Wilhelm Thomé. Circa 1885. |
The root word for its name "Capers" can be traced to that of the Classical Latin word capparis. The root word for the Classical Latin word capparis, in turn, was borrowed from the Greek word "kapparis" [κάππαρις].
A theory suggests that the origins of the Greek word "kapparis" [κάππαρις] is based off the name of the island Cyprus (Kypros [Κύπρος]), where the Caper plant grows abundantly.
USAGE
The Caper plant has been said to reduce flatulence and to be anti-rheumatic in effect. In ayurvedeic medicine, the Caper plant is recorded as a hepatic stimulants and protectors, and is said to be able to improve liver function.
The Caper plant have been reportedly used to treat arteriosclerosis; used as diuretics, kidney disinfectants, vermifuges and tonics. Infusions and decoctions from Caper root bark have been traditionally used for dropsy, anemia, arthritis and gout. In fact, the Caper plant contains considerable amounts of the anti-oxidant bioflavinoid rutin.
The Caper plant that are sold commercially are often immature flower buds which have been pickled in vinegar or preserved in granular salt. The semi-mature fruits of the Caper plant (known as caperberries) and its young shoots, along with its small leaves may also be pickled for use as a condiment.
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| Commercially sold Capers that are pickled in salt |
To be specific, the flavor of the Caper plant may be described as being similar to that of mustard and black pepper. In fact, the strong flavor of the Caper plant comes from mustard oil (methyl isothiocyanate) which arises when the Caper plant is crushed.
The tender young shoots of the Caper plant, including that of the small leaves, can be pickled, or be cooked and eaten.
More rarely, mature and semi-mature fruits of the Caper plant are also eaten as a cooked vegetable.
Additionally, ash from burned caper roots has been used as a source of salt.
RECIPE
The Caper plant can be used in the cooking of Spaghetti alla puttanesca (It is also known as Harlot Spaghetti.)
 |
| A picture of Spaghetti Alla Puttanesca. |
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/jamie-oliver/spaghetti-puttanesca-recipe.html
Did You Know?
- The taste of the Caper plant is considered to be a classic Mediterranean flavor.
- Caper extracts and pulps had once been used in cosmetics, but there has been reports of it causing skin inflammation from their usage. Thus, they are no longer used in cosmetics.
Other References
http://gernot-katzers-spice-pages.com/engl/Capp_spi.html
-A webpage on the caper plant,which is more in-depth regarding its description, genus and usage in cusines
https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/CropFactSheets/caper.html
-A webpage on the Caper plant; it talks about the Caper plant from a more scientific viewpoint. It also has information regarding the way it is cultivated and also the types of viruses and bugs that may affect it.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/30/what-are-capers_n_1276491.html
-A brief description of Capers, along with links to other recipes that utilizes Capers.
http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/caper/growing-caper-bush.htm
-A webpage that gives a brief overview on the Caper plant. It talks about the health benefits of Capers, as well as the ways to grow and take care of one.
Other References
http://gernot-katzers-spice-pages.com/engl/Capp_spi.html
-A webpage on the caper plant,which is more in-depth regarding its description, genus and usage in cusines
https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/CropFactSheets/caper.html
-A webpage on the Caper plant; it talks about the Caper plant from a more scientific viewpoint. It also has information regarding the way it is cultivated and also the types of viruses and bugs that may affect it.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/30/what-are-capers_n_1276491.html
-A brief description of Capers, along with links to other recipes that utilizes Capers.
http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/caper/growing-caper-bush.htm
-A webpage that gives a brief overview on the Caper plant. It talks about the health benefits of Capers, as well as the ways to grow and take care of one.
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ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to know that the caper plant originated from Asia instead of Europe as western cuisines use this plant in their cooking.
ReplyDelete