# Where do capers come from? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 2, 2020, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-capers-come-from/845772 "2020-01-02T07:20:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2020, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-capers-come-from/845772/1 "2020-01-02T07:20:01Z")
Obviously, they come from a little glass jar full of pickled flower buds, but _before_ that, I mean. Let’s say Isadore the flower bud gets overlooked on the day the caper harvesters come along. If we presume that Isadore is able to deal with the sudden loss of companionship, what kind of flower will Isadore be when it matures into a blossom? Yeah, I could probably find out by checking Wikipedia, but this way promises more fun. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2020, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-capers-come-from/845772/2 "2020-01-02T08:06:52Z")
Not just the buds, but the mature berries of the caper shrub are also pickled. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2020, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-capers-come-from/845772/3 "2020-01-02T09:11:15Z")
They come from the caper bush, or Capparis spinosa. The plant is in the same order, Brassicales, as cabbage and mustard. The flowers have white petals and a lot of stamens. The fruit of the caper bush, called caper berries, can be pickled and eaten as hors d’oeuvres. Caper leaves are sometimes used in salads. In my opinion, salted, unpickled capers are superior to the pickled ones for use in sauces. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2020, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-capers-come-from/845772/4 "2020-01-02T13:39:33Z")
The fertile minds of criminal geniuses? ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2020, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-capers-come-from/845772/5 "2020-01-02T13:48:48Z")
They are, of course, the essential ingredient for tartare sauce. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2020, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-capers-come-from/845772/6 "2020-01-02T14:00:14Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > The fertile minds of criminal geniuses? That’s good. I was going to say screenwriters. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2020, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-capers-come-from/845772/7 "2020-01-02T14:35:13Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > The fertile minds of criminal geniuses? Now, see, THIS is why I don’t just go straight to Wikipedia… ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2020, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-capers-come-from/845772/8 "2020-01-02T17:34:58Z")
Brian: Of course they’ve brought forth caper berries! They’re caper bushes! What do you expect?! ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2020, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-capers-come-from/845772/9 "2020-01-02T18:27:38Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > They are, of course, the essential ingredient for tartare sauce. Not really essential here in the US. Here it basically starts with mayo, relish (finely minced pickled cucumbers – either “sweet” or “dill”), and sometimes minced onions. Oh, and often some lemon. I actually don’t think I discovered capers in tartare sauce until I visited the UK in my early 20s. (And now when I make my own tartare sauce, I include capers, but I may leave them out for guests, as not everyone likes that flavor.) I’m not sure any of the commonly available commercial tartare sauces include capers here. I certainly can’t recall the distinctive caper flavor in any of them, at least (and it took me a few tries to get used to that flavor at first.) ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2020, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-capers-come-from/845772/10 "2020-01-02T18:36:31Z")
Is there a distinction to be made between tartare sauce and tartar sauce (I’m guessing not, but you never know)? American supermarkets I’ve been in only have tartar sauce, while tartare sauce sounds like a condiment produced by A-1 for raw minced beef. Also, do either of them have cream of tartar? ---
**Author:** ![Jet\_Jaguar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jet_jaguar/32/3562_2.png) [@Jet\_Jaguar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jet_Jaguar)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2020, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-capers-come-from/845772/11 "2020-01-02T18:57:12Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > That’s good. I was going to say screenwriters. My first thought was “Catalina”, but I don’t know how many would get that reference. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2020, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-capers-come-from/845772/12 "2020-01-02T19:01:45Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Is there a distinction to be made between tartare sauce and tartar sauce (I’m guessing not, but you never know)? American supermarkets I’ve been in only have tartar sauce, while tartare sauce sounds like a condiment produced by A-1 for raw minced beef. I meant to spell it “tartar” above, but following **bob++**'s cue. It’s just another spelling for the same thing. (Commonwealth countries use “tartare sauce.” US uses “tartar sauce.”) ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2020, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-capers-come-from/845772/13 "2020-01-02T19:09:20Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I meant to spell it “tartar” above, but following **bob++**'s cue. It’s just another spelling for the same thing. (Commonwealth countries use “tartare sauce.” US uses “tartar sauce.”) Neither should include capers, but I’m a barbarian, so what do I know? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2020, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-capers-come-from/845772/14 "2020-01-02T19:11:45Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Also, do either of them have cream of tartar? Oh, and no, tartar(e) sauce does not contain cream of tartar/tartaric acid. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2020, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-capers-come-from/845772/15 "2020-01-02T19:13:02Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Neither should include capers, but I’m a barbarian, so what do I know? 😛 Nicely done. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2020, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-capers-come-from/845772/16 "2020-01-03T03:33:53Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > The fertile minds of criminal geniuses? > [@Musicat](#): > > That’s good. I was going to say screenwriters. Or kids, in both the human and hircine senses. ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2020, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-capers-come-from/845772/17 "2020-01-03T04:56:48Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Or kids, in both the human and hircine senses. Both of which are known to caper wildly at times. ---
**Author:** ![EdelweissPirate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8491ac/32.png) [@EdelweissPirate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EdelweissPirate)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2020, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-capers-come-from/845772/18 "2020-01-03T05:11:04Z")
Oh, this is delightful! I hadn’t encountered the word “hircine” before, but my life is enriched now that I have. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2020, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-capers-come-from/845772/19 "2020-01-03T05:31:08Z")
What I want to know is when was there someone so hungry that he ended up eating flower buds, and who else came up with the idea of pickling those. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2020, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-capers-come-from/845772/20 "2020-01-03T06:58:19Z")
When a shenanigan and a lark love each other very much… [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-capers-come-from/845772.md?page=2)