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Capers

Capers are unopened flower buds, usually pickled and used to add a sharp, briny flavor to sauces, salads, and fish dishes.

Capers — illustrative ingredient image

About Capers

Capers are the unopened flower buds of the caper bush, generally preserved before culinary use. They are most often sold in brine, salt, or vinegar as small whole buds, with colours ranging from olive green to grey-green.

They are used to add a pronounced salty, acidic, briny sharpness to sauces, salads, fish dishes, pasta, pizza, dressings, and spreads. Their texture is firm and sometimes lightly crunchy before preparation.

Capers may be added whole or chopped, and larger buds can be used as a visible garnish. They become softer when chopped, rinsed, cooked, or fried; size grades, preservation method, and draining or rinsing affect their intensity and texture.

Ingredient type
whole food

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Where capers appears

30 linked foods

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Ingredient connections awaiting review · Coverage is still growing, including packaged snacks.

Name examples awaiting language review. Confirm the specific food or product.

Local names for capers

Names and romanised forms to recognise on menus and labels.

English

capers

English

Capers, canned

Search alias · Not a confirmed translation

English

Capers, pickled, canned, drained

Search alias · Not a confirmed translation

English

Câpres, au vinaigre

Search alias · Not a confirmed translation

Available names only. Languages may be spoken in other countries; a name alone does not identify every ingredient in a dish.

Capers nutrition & diet

Capers nutritional value

Capers, canned

Per 100 g of the edible portion in the recorded food form.

Calories
23kcal
Protein
2.4g
Carbs
4.9g
Fat
0.9g

Reference values for the specific food form shown. Other varieties, brands and preparations can differ.

Portions & preparation

Use capers in modest spoonfuls because their briny flavor can dominate a dish. Rinsing or soaking may reduce surface salt, while chopping distributes flavor. Record whether the buds are fresh, dry-packed, or preserved, and include any packing liquid when assessing the served portion.

Compare the right form: Match references to edible caper flower buds, specifying fresh, dry-packed, or preserved form and whether packing liquid is included.

Diet considerations

Capers are plant-derived flower buds. Compatibility changes with preservation liquids, added salt, vinegar, sugar, or oil, and with the surrounding recipe. Check sauces, salads, and prepared dishes for animal ingredients, cereal-based additions, or coatings; the small serving commonly functions as a seasoning rather than a main food.

AI-authored reading notes · Awaiting editorial review. Measured values, where available, have a separate source above.

Dietary compatibility

  • Vegan
    Not established
  • Vegetarian
    Not established
  • Pescatarian
    Not established
  • Keto
    Not established
  • Paleo
    Not established
  • Low-carb
    Not established
  • Halal
    Not established
  • Kosher
    Not established
What these diet assessments mean
Vegan · Not established
The available profile does not establish the full composition or processing for this dietary pattern.
Vegetarian · Not established
The available profile does not establish the full composition or processing for this dietary pattern.
Pescatarian · Not established
The available profile does not establish the full composition or processing for this dietary pattern.
Keto · Not established
A defined serving and sourced carbohydrate data are needed before assessing this dietary pattern.
Paleo · Not established
The ingredient form and processing have not been assessed against this dietary pattern.
Low-carb · Not established
A defined serving and sourced carbohydrate data are needed before assessing this dietary pattern.
Halal · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish halal status.
Kosher · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish kosher status.

For the plain ingredient · Awaiting review. Diet compatibility is not allergy suitability or halal/kosher certification. Keto and low-carb depend on the portion.

Reviewed ingredient entryIngredient reference · Preparations vary

AI-generated illustration for visual context. It does not identify a particular product or establish allergen content.

Sources & review

Nutrition reference: USDA FoodData Central — Capers, canned ↗. Values are scaled from 100 g of the recorded edible form. Individual portions have no assumed fixed weight.

Expanded overview, name examples and nutrition notes are database drafts awaiting editorial review. Numeric nutrition values, where shown, have their own source and food-form reference.

The ingredient description and dish connections come from the draft catalogue and may change after review.

Last recorded verification: .