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Note: capers healing properties

The caper bush in the Mediterranean and Asia to India - The use of the caper bush: Buds, fruits, bark - Capers are immature flower buds that are dried and then pickled: brine, vinegar, olive oil - The healing effects of capers - like an apple - Capers indications - Caper bush bark indications - Cooking recipes: Caper blossom buds ("capers") as an ingredient in the kitchen - Sour capers should also be an aphrodisiac - Caper apples (caper fruits)

Capers - indications: digestion - appetite - cholesterol - inflammations - allergies - edema - spleen - scurvy - cramps - diabetes - hepatitis - blood vessels

Little capers are that stron in
                          healing like an apple
Little capers are that stron in healing like an apple [1]
Caper fruits are about 2cm long
Caper fruits are about 2cm long [2]
Spaghetti alla puttanesca with
                          olives + capers
Spaghetti alla puttanesca with olives + capers [6]

  by Michael Palomino (2021)
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The caper bush in the Mediterranean and Asia to India

Caper bush
Caper bush [3]

Capers are flower buds of the caper bush (Capparis spinosa) [web01]. The wild caper bushes have thorns, cultivated bushes are created without thorns in plantations (centers are in Turkey, Spain, Italy with the island of Pantelleria) [web06].

-- The caper bush grows in a warm and dry climate [web08] in the entire Mediterranean area and the Arab-Asian region as far as India. It was "naturalized" in the Canaries. Centers of caper cultivation are in South of France, Greece with the Aeolian Islands ("Capers Festival" in June), Italy with the Sicilian island of Pantelleria [web01].

-- The caper bush also grows on barren or rocky soils, is particularly salt-tolerant and hardly needs any water, which is why it is revered as "almost magical" [web02]

-- The shrub can grow up to 2m high and 4m wide, is up to 50 years old. [web01], the branches are up to 4m long, with thick leaves [web08]

-- The caper bush develops flower buds, which are then processed into "capers" [web01], since the ancient Greeks [web08].

-- The delicate blossoms only have a short blooming period [web08], called "orchid of the Aeolians" in southern Italy [web02]

-- The Greek goddess Aphrodite is the patroness of the small caper buds. [web02]


Die Verwendung des Kapernstrauchs: Knospen, Früchte, Rinde

The use of the caper bush: buds, fruits, bark

-- From the caper bush are used: the buds (called "capers"), fruits (called "caper apples") and leaves are used [web02]
-- Extracts of the caper bush can be found in cosmetics [web02]
-- The bark of the caper bush is used for medical purposes: caper bush bark tea against rheumatism, chew bark against toothache [web05].


Capers are immature flower buds that are dried and then pickled: brine, vinegar, olive oil

Caper buds on a
              caper bush   Little capers are that stron in healing like
              an apple
Caper buds on a caper bush [4] - Little capers are that stron in healing like an apple [1]

Immature flower buds are harvested by hand when they are olive green to bluish green [web01]. The harvest in spring [web08] is mostly at daybreak. Freshly picked capers are bitter and inedible [web06]. After the harvest, they are dried for a day, then marinated in salt, brine, vinegar or olive oil. This is how the sour, piquant taste is created (capric acid and mustard oil glycosides are created) [web02]. In detail: Spontaneous fermentation takes place, a kind of lactic acid fermentation. After about 1 month, the microorganisms have largely broken down the bitter substances. This is followed by flushing and sorting depending on the size [web06].

Capers have their name depending on their size, in France for example:
-- 4-7mm: Nonpareils - with the best taste (the smaller, the milder + more expensive [web05])
-- 7-8mm: Surfines
-- 8-9mm: Capucines
-- 9-10mm: Capotes
-- 12-13mm: Fines
-- Mifines
-- 13-15mm: Hors Calibres ("Communes") [web01]
-- 20mm: in Spain [web08]

Some capers are bitter and bitter, others rather hot. The bigger the capers, the more intense their taste [web08].

If capers have been pickled in salt, they must be soaked in water before being used in the kitchen [web01]. Capers pickled in salt or vinegar endanger the body's water balance due to the excessive salt content when consumed too much [web05].

Capers can be kept in hermetically sealed jars and covered with brine for at least one year [web05].

For the supermarket, capers are 15 minutes. heated to 80 degrees (pasteurization) to increase the shelf life, that is a compromise to the shelf life [web06].

     [Vitamins are destroyed at 60 degrees Celsius].


The healing effects of capers - their healing force is that stron like an apple

-- Capers have a high content of "secondary plant substances" and are very healthy [web02]
-- Capers have a stimulating effect on digestion and as a remedy [web02]

The most important health-promoting components of capers ("secondary plant substances")
  • "In addition to vitamins C and B, the flower bud of the caper bush also contains magnesium and potassium as well as trace elements such as iron, copper and manganese." [web02], rich in calcium, ans also some sodium [web05]

    Vitamin B1 for the metabolism, vitamin B2 for the energy balance and against mental disorders [web05].

    Iron and copper promote the formation of red blood cells (e.g. against anemia) [web03], and copper promotes the formation of pigments for skin and hair, against gray hair [web04]
  • Flavonoides [web05]
  • "Quercetin
    The bud has a relatively high proportion of this flavonoid. Quercetin is a natural pigment from the group of polyphenols and flavonoids, which is also found in onions, berries and apples. It has an antioxidant effect on the cardiovascular system. "[Web02]

    Quercetin is a natural pigment that protects against infectious diseases and strengthens the immune system. [web05]

  • The plant substance rutin protects the blood vessels [web02]

    "Rutin
    Plants use the flavonoid rutin to protect against UV radiation. In the human organism it protects the smallest blood vessels and the intestines." [web02]

  • Mustard oils kill germs [web02]

    "Mustard Oil Glycosides
    They give some vegetables a bitter taste. In the human organism they prevent respiratory and urinary tract infections. "[Web02]

  • Antioxidants
    Capers are high in natural antioxidants:
    -- neutralize harmful by-products that arise during the digestion of meat [web05]
    -- prevent fat oxidation and the development of cancer-promoting compounds [web05]

    Quote (translation): <Capers are an underestimated ingredient in the healthy "Mediterranean diet", this was found out by a researcher's group with Maria A. Livrea from Palermo University. The fruits of the caper bush have an unexpectedly high proportion of oxidation inhibitors, the scientists report in the journal "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry" (vol. 55, p. 8465). In experiments, they had observed that the antioxidants in capers can neutralize harmful by-products that arise during the digestion of meat. "Capers can have positive health effects, especially for those whose diets are high in fat and red meat," it said. The small fruits are an ideal combination to meat dishes as a prevention against cancer and heart diseases.> [Web07]

    (original German: <Kapern sind eine unterschätzte Zutat der gesunden "Mittelmeer-Diät", haben Forscher um Maria A. Livrea von der Universität Palermo festgestellt. Die Früchte des Kapernstrauchs besitzen einen unerwartet hohen Anteil an Oxidationshemmern, berichten die Wissenschaftler im Fachblatt "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry" (Bd. 55, S. 8465). In Versuchen hatten sie beobachtet, dass die Antioxidantien der Kapern schädliche Nebenprodukte neutralisieren können, die bei der Verdauung von Fleisch entstehen. "Kapern können eine positive Auswirkung auf die Gesundheit haben, insbesondere für diejenigen, deren Ernährung reich an Fett und rotem Fleisch ist", heißt es. Die kleinen Früchte seien als Vorbeugung gegen Krebs und Herzkrankheiten eine ideale Kombination zu Fleischgerichten.> [web07])


Capers as a remedy

Capers - indications: digestion - appetite - cholesterol - inflammations - allergies - edema - spleen - scurvy - cramps - diabetes - hepatitis - blood vessels

-- Digestive: promotes the digestion of animal fats when eating meat [web08]
-- appetite enhancing [web08]
-- Capers are supposed to regulate the cholesterol level [web05]
-- Capers are supposed to reduce inflammation [web05], have an anti-inflammatory effect, against rheumatism and arthritis (today's natural medicine in Europe) [web08]
-- Capers should reduce allergies [web05]
-- Capers consist of 85.2% water and have a dehydrating effect (against edema), drainage (edema, pregnancy edema), [web08]
-- Spleen diseases (since ancient times) [web08]
-- against scurvy in some countries [web08]
-- antispasmodic, eliminates cramps [web08]
-- Diabetes, blood sugar is regulated [web05, web08] (discovered in Iran [web08]) [web08]
-- Hepatitis (discovered in Ayurveda in India) [web08]
-- strengthens the blood vessels, strengthens the heart, purpura vascular disease [web08]

     [Conclusion: capers act like an apple].

Capers as a beauty product

-- Skin care, skin rejuvenation, smooth wrinkles, capers are ingredients in many cosmetics, freshen up the skin [web08]
-- Puree from capers can be put as a beauty mask [web08]

Caper bark - indications

-- Caper tree bark tea should reduce rheumatism [web05]
-- Chewing caper tree bark should reduce toothache [web05]


Cooking recipes: caper flower buds ("capers") as an ingredient in the kitchen

Pizza Napoli with anchovies, olives and capers   Spaghetti alla puttanesca with olives + capers   King mountain rolls (Königsberger Klopse)
                with capers   Ajiaco: Chicken soup with potatoes, corn +
                capers
Pizza Napoli with anchovies, olives and capers [5] - Spaghetti alla puttanesca with olives + capers [6] - King mountain rolls (Königsberger Klopse) with capers [7] - Ajiaco: Chicken soup with potatoes, corn + capers [8]

The flower buds of the caper bush ("capers") have been a spicy and piquant ingredient in the cuisine of the Mediterranean region since ancient times [web01], sourish and piquant [web02].

Dishes with capers in Italy: Vitello tonnato (veal in tuna sauce [web02]), spaghetti alla puttanesca, insalata pantesca [web01]

Mediterranean area: fish with capers, spaghetti with capers, sauces with capers, Italian + Turkish recipes [web08]

Dishes with capers in Germany: Kings Rolls (Königsberger Klopse), Frikassee, Rinter-Tatar [web01] [also: potatoe salad with egg, tomato, ognions and capers - tomato salad with ognions and capers]

Germany uses capers in cold sauces, combines capers with boiled eggs, caper sauce with noodles, capers in potato salad, capers on pizza, possibly combined with anchovies, Capers in a meat loaf, capers with sliced ​​meat, pureing capers is an ingredient for drinks made from yoghurt or milk drinks [web08].

Dishes with capers in Colombia: Ajiaco [web01].


More advice about capers

-- Pickled capers are a danger for people with histamine intolerance, these people have to get capers in brine [web08]
-- they are available all year round, often offered in vinegar and oil, rarely offered in brine in special gourmet shops, or in Turkish or Italian shops, often brine real sea salt. very valuable [web08]
-- capers stay cool in an open jar covered with liquid for 1 year, if you add oil to the jar, even longer [web08]
-- Vinegar or brine has to be rinsed or watered before consumption, otherwise it dominates too much [web08].

Capers substitute - fake capers

In Germany, siome flower buds are used for capers: the buds of
-- the marsh marigold [web01,06,08]
-- the nasturtium [web01,06,08]
-- Lesser celandine [web01, web08]
-- Daisies [web01, web06]
-- dandelions etc. [web01].
-- broom [web06]

The buds are then colored green with copper connections [web06].

Sour capers are also said to be an aphrodisiac

-- the patroness of the capers was the oriental goddess of love Astarte [web02]
-- in Cyprus Astarte became Aphrodite - from whom the word "aphrodisiac" is derived [web02]
-- the sour-spicy capers are supposed to increase the "erotic appetite" and to "stimulate lust" [web02]
[Well, how a sour fruit is supposed to be an aphrodisiac is a mystery to me].

Caper apples (caper fruits)

Caper fruits
              are about 2cm long
Caper fruits are about 2cm long [2]

Caper apples (caper berries, caper cucumber) are 1 to 2 cm long, are placed in vinegar or oil to remove the bitter substances, the smaller they are, the more aromatic they are. For extending shelf life in the supermarket they are treated with preservatives [web06].




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Sources
[web01] MoSSad Wikipedia denies natural medicine of capers: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echter_Kapernstrauch
[web02] natural medicine of capers: https://www.gesund-vital.de/kapern
[web03] http://www.med-etc.com/med/kupfer/Dt/003-kupfer-heilungen01.html
[web04] http://www.med-etc.com/med/kupfer/Dt/001-kupfer-antibakteriell+med-funktionen-01-mensch.html
[web05] https://www.runnersworld.de/lexikon/wissenswertes-ueber-kapern/
[web06] https://www.deutschlandfunkkultur.de/vermeintliche-wunderwaffe.993.de.html?dram:article_id=154403 
[web07] https://www.abendblatt.de/ratgeber/wissen/forschung/article107338674/Kapern-haben-heilende-Wirkung.html
[web08] https://krank.de/ernaehrung/lebensmittel/kapern/

Photo sources
[1] Capers: https://www.chefsculinar.de/kapern-1443.htm
[2] Caper fruits: https://www.superfoodly.com/capers-vs-caper-berries-difference-and-benefits/
[3] Caper bush: https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/rural-news/2013-12-18/kolophon-caper-bush/5161906?nw=0
[4] Caper bud on a caper bush: https://gardendrum.com/2014/09/24/how-to-grow-capers/
[5] Pizza Napoli with anchovies, olives and capers: https://www.springlane.de/magazin/rezeptideen/pizza-napoli/
[6] Spaghetti alla puttanesca with olives + capers: https://fooby.ch/en/recipes/17789/spaghetti-alla-puttanesca
[7] King mountain rolls (Königsberger Klopse) with capers: https://www.brigitte.de/rezepte/koenigsberger-klopse-10554548.html
[8] Ajiaco: Chicken soup with potatoes, corn + capers: https://es-recipes.saladmaster.com/receta/ajiaco-bogotano

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