Capers are the small, unopened flower buds of the caper bush (Capparis spinosa) that are picked, then preserved in brine or salt, which gives them their tangy, salty, briny punch. They’re used in many Mediterranean dishes to add little bursts of intense flavor to otherwise simple foods.

What capers actually are

Capers are not seeds or berries; they’re immature flower buds harvested before they bloom. After picking, they’re typically:

  • Packed in coarse salt
  • Or soaked in a vinegar brine like pickles

This curing process is what develops their sharp, lemony, salty flavor and slightly soft, pop-in-the-mouth texture.

What they taste like

Most people describe capers as:

  • Salty and tangy, thanks to the brine or salt
  • Slightly lemony and a bit floral
  • A touch bitter, which balances rich or fatty foods

Because the flavor is so concentrated, recipes usually use them in small amounts, like a spoonful stirred into sauces or scattered on top of a dish.

How they’re used in cooking

Capers show up a lot in Mediterranean and Italian-style recipes. Common uses include:

  • In sauces like chicken piccata or puttanesca
  • With fish and seafood, where their acidity cuts the richness
  • In salad dressings, tapenades, and pasta dishes
  • As a garnish on dishes like smoked salmon

You’ll usually find them in jars near the olives or pickles at the grocery store, ready to use straight from the brine (often after a quick rinse if they’re very salty).

Fun extra: caper berries vs capers

The plant also produces caper berries, which are the fruit that form after the flowers bloom. These are:

  • Larger, olive-sized, with a stem
  • Also brined, but milder and more pickle-like
  • Often served on antipasto platters or in cocktails

They’re related, but not the same thing: capers = buds, caper berries = fruit.

TL;DR: When you see “capers” in a recipe and wonder “capers what are they?” —they’re tiny, pickled flower buds that add salty, tangy, briny flavor and are especially popular in Mediterranean cooking.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.