Whether they’re brined or salt-packed, all capers should be rinsed before using for cooking to wash off any excess salt and let their delicate flavor shine through. With salt-packed capers, you should repeat this rinsing and soaking 3 or 4 more times.

What are capers and what do they taste like?

What do capers taste like? Capers add a floral, tangy, and salty flavor to dishes. They are salty because of the way manufacturers process and store them. “Capers are brined or packed in salt, which is where the flavor comes from.”

I finally turned to my trusted friend, the internet. The bottom line is that capers are sold by size. The smaller the caper, the more delicate in texture and flavor it is. The smallest of capers, which measures under 7mm, is considered “non-pareil” (pronounced ,nän-pə-ˈrel).

Are capers bad for you?

Capers enhance flavor without adding significant amounts of calories, fat, or sugar. This makes them an excellent option for people looking to cut calories but still enjoy tasty dishes. Beyond their flavorful and low calorie nature, capers provide a variety of health benefits.

The best substitute for capers? Chopped green olives! Use large green olives packed in water if you can find them — and don’t get the filled kind! They can mimic the briny flavor of capers. Roughly chop them, then you can use 1 tablespoon chopped olives in place of 1 tablespoon capers.