Properties and benefits of capers: uses and contraindications

In the kitchen we can use them everywhere to enrich dishes: from salads (first of all of tomatoes) to pasta (the most famous is olives and capers), up to fish and meat. By flavoring a dish with their strong flavor, capers also allow us to avoid a waste that is important for our health: the excessive use of salt. But apart from the culinary characteristics, the capers They are miraculous for our health, thanks to a mix of substances they contain and a series of benefits they bring to our organism.

Index of topics

What are capers?

The caper is not a tree, but a simple bush, and its fruits are not fruits but flowers, that is, still-open buds. The plant, always green in color, is rather small and grows as a bush, between cracks in walls, between rock crevices, and in barren soil. It does not need water and prefers dry, calcareous soils. The original name of the shrub is Spiny Capers, a plant native to Greece and Asia Minor, typical of the Mediterranean basin.

Nutritional properties

Capers have nutritional values of minerals, vitamins and proteins, which help give preventive power to these buds. But let's look at them in detail. nutritional values per 100 grams:

Water 83,8 grams
Protein 2,36 grams
Sodium 2,96 grams
Lipids 0,86 grams
Calcium 40 milligrams
Potassium 40 milligrams
Magnesium 33 milligrams
Phosphorus 10 milligrams

On the contrary, the calories are just 23 per 100 grams.

Benefits

I benefits of capers For our health, they go in different directions. They stimulate appetite and digestive functions, but at the same time perform a powerful hydrating and diuretic function. For this reason, they are recommended during diets, in cases of cellulitis, for acne rosacea. Another important natural power of capers lies in kaempferol, an antioxidant that performs antioxidant and antitumor functions in the body. Quercetin, which is abundant in capers, also has antibacterial, antitumor, and cardioprotective effects. Capers also help lower blood sugar levels.

Furthermore:

They increase the activity of phagocytes and thus strengthen the immune system
They limit the release of histamine and act as a natural anti-allergic.
During the seasonal changes, they are useful for counteracting physical and mental tiredness
They support microcirculation thanks to their rutin content, which strengthens capillaries and inhibits the formation of platelet aggregates. This flavonoid thus helps relieve heavy legs.
Thanks to the routine they counteract the onset of cholesterol
The presence of many natural salts helps prevent allergies.

Capers in the kitchen: uses and recipes

The most popular recipe based on capers is that of pasta with olives but capers are a very versatile food in the kitchen, and ideal for enriching the flavour of many other dishes such as these recipes truly unmissable:

Where to find the best capers

The homeland of the caper is Italy and in particular the island of SiciliaHere, a no-holds-barred battle is being waged among the various producers, with PGI and PDO certifications competing for the top spot. Overall, the best capers remain those from Pantelleria, followed by those from the Aeolian Islands, starting with Salina. What makes the difference in terms of quality, more than the origin, is the size—that is, the size of the caper bud. The smaller they are, the more flavorful they are.

How to consume them

The important thing, when consuming capers, is to be careful free them from salt in which they were preserved. Otherwise, you risk ruining the flavor of the dishes you're preparing. The process is very simple. After opening the jar and removing the capers, soak them in water for at least twenty minutes. Change the water a couple of times, then drain and squeeze them. Once you've opened a jar of capers (which can generally be stored in the pantry), you should store them in the refrigerator.

How to preserve them

In oil, pickled or brineEveryone can choose their preferred solution. The most common is to preserve the capers in saltIn an airtight jar, alternate layers of capers with layers of coarse salt, in a ratio that can vary from 40 to 100 percent. In practice, 400 grams or one kilogram of coarse salt for every kilogram of capers. It's clear that less salt saves money and reduces the risk of salt consumption, but a higher dose of salt can help preserve them longer. Generally, capers are ready for storage 40 days after jarring and can be kept in these conditions for at least two years.

Capers for natural cosmetics

In addition to cooking, capers can also be used in natural cosmeticsThis is thanks to the high concentration of pantothenic acid, also known as vitamin B5, which slows skin aging and helps wounds heal faster. Furthermore, the ascorbic acid content promotes collagen synthesis in the body: hence the capers' natural anti-aging and skin photoprotective properties. How do you prepare an anti-aging caper? Simply blend them with the wine red (another substance that helps slow down skin aging), then apply the preparation to your face or skin for at least a good five minutes.

Differences between capers and cucunci

The caper, as we have said, is not a fruit, but simply a bud. However, after flowering, a real fruit is formed: the I cuckooIt has a more tapered shape and is larger than the caper. Inside it are seeds that can be annoying. It is ideal for serving as an aperitif.

Ccontraindications

There are very few people who cannot eat capers. Those in vinegar are not recommended for those with peptic ulcers. Those in salt are not recommended for those with hypertension, those with kidney problems and pregnant women. Those suffering from hypothyroidism or goiter should also be careful, as capers contain giucocapparin, a substance that gives the caper its typical flavor, but can interfere with the absorption of the iodineFinally, diabetics should consult their doctor before consuming capers regularly.

Capers: properties, benefits, uses and contraindications