Capers. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

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Capers. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

cultivated and wild plants. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

Directory / Cultivated and wild plants

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Content

Photos, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism
Basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism
Botanical description, reference data, useful information, illustrations
Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology
Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

Capers, Capparis. Photos of the plant, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Capers Capers

Basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Sort by: Capers (Capparis)

Family: Capers (Capparaceae)

Origin: Plants of the genus Caper originate from regions with tropical and subtropical climates such as Africa, Asia, Australia and South America.

Area: Depending on the species, capers can grow in a variety of environments, from dry regions to tropical forests. They are found on all continents except Antarctica.

Chemical composition: Capers contain numerous biologically active substances such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, carotenoids, antioxidants, etc. They are also rich in vitamins and minerals.

Economic value: Capers are widely used in cooking, especially in Mediterranean cuisine, as a condiment and ingredient in salads, appetizers and sauces. They are also used in medicine as a remedy for the treatment of various diseases, such as rheumatism, liver and stomach diseases, arthritis, headache and others. In addition, capers are used in the production of perfumes and cosmetics.

Legends, myths, symbolism: One of the legends about the origin of capers says that they were invented by the god Hermes, who decided to make a smaller creature out of a man so that he could more easily penetrate narrow cracks and holes. He turned the young man into a bush, which later grew and produced the fruits that became known as capers. Capers also have a symbolic meaning. They are often associated with the idea of small things that can bring great pleasure. Capers also symbolize willpower and endurance, as they grow in dry and uncultivable lands. In general, capers symbolize small things that can bring great pleasure, as well as will and endurance.

Capers, Capparis. Description, illustrations of the plant

Prickly capers, Capparis spinosa L. Botanical description, history of origin, nutritional value, cultivation, use in cooking, medicine, industry

Capers

Perennial herbaceous plant. Stems are numerous, prostrate, with creeping branches up to 150 cm long. Leaves are alternate, rounded, petiolate, with prickly stipules. Flowers solitary, large, white, yellowish, pale pink, with long pedicels. The fruit is fleshy, berry-like, shaped like a watermelon, in the red pulp of which numerous black seeds sit. Blooms in May-October.

The Mediterranean is considered the birthplace of the plant. It was first introduced into culture in the south of France at the beginning of the XNUMXth century. It is currently cultivated in the countries of Southern Europe and in the south of North America.

In the wild, capers are found in the Mediterranean, Iran, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. They grow along the banks of rivers, lakes, on old arable land, scree and garbage places.

Young shoots and buds of capers contain essential and fatty oils, pectins and vitamins C, P, E, carotene. Protein substances, saponins, minerals and stachidrine glycoside were found in them. The fruits contain a lot of sugars, saponins, enzymes, iodine, vitamins C and P, and the seeds contain proteins and fatty oil.

The plant has long been valued as a medicinal plant. A decoction of the branches is used for diseases of the thyroid gland, diabetes, jaundice, allergies, rheumatism and colds, the juice of flowers - for diarrhea and as a wound healing agent, a decoction of the roots - for neurosis, paralysis, toothache, seeds - for migraines.

Both fruits and shoots with buds are eaten. Due to the high sugar content, the dried fruit was used in the past in place of sugar. Now the ends of the shoots and young fruits are marinated and used as a seasoning for cold appetizers, meat and fish dishes (this is especially common in the Caucasus). Pickled buds called "capers" are a well-known delicacy seasoning.

Capers are decorative and are considered a good honey plant. In addition, they can be used as feed for goats and camels.

Authors: Kretsu L.G., Domashenko L.G., Sokolov M.D.

Herbaceous capers, Capparis herbacea Wild. Botanical description, distribution, chemical composition, features of use.

Capers

The caper family is Capparaceae.

Perennial. Stems up to 150 cm long. Leaves are rounded, obovate or elliptical with prickly stipules.

Flowers 5-8 cm in diameter, with white, pale pink or yellowish petals in the leaf axils. Four sepals and petals.

Stamens numerous. Ovary with incomplete septa and numerous seeds. The fruit is a fleshy or berry-like capsule.

Grows in the desert and semi-desert on clay and gravelly soils, in the foothills, in disturbed biocenoses near housing.

Homeland - Asia. Currently cultivated in Spain, Italy, the Balkan Peninsula, France, Algeria.

The roots contain the glycoside capporidine; bark and leaves - glycoside stahidrin; fruits - sugars, enzymes, steroidal saponins, fat (0,5%), red pigment, iodine, starch (5,4%), fiber (1,4%), vitamins - rutin and ascorbic acid (up to 0,15% ), essential oil, pectin; seeds - proteins, fatty oil.

Pickled buds called "capers" are used as a spicy seasoning for food, the fruits are eaten fresh. In the past, the fruits were dried and used in winter instead of sugar - their pulp is very sweet, similar in taste to watermelon.

In the Caucasus, fermented young twigs of a plant with buds ("jonjoli") are used as a condiment and a cold appetizer.

Salted and pickled capers are used to make marinades and mayonnaise, they give food a pleasant sour taste, and are a good seasoning for soups, meat and fish dishes.

The best varieties of capers (for example, Nonpareille) compete with grapes in terms of profitability on the world market.

The roots of capers have been used for medicinal purposes even in Arabic medicine. In folk medicine, they were used for hypochondria, jaundice, hypertension, scabies, rheumatism, brucellosis, hysteria (and other neuroses); branches - in diabetes mellitus.

Authors: Dudchenko L.G., Kozyakov A.S., Krivenko V.V.

Capers, Capparis. Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology

cultivated and wild plants. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

Ethnoscience:

Cholesterol Reduction: eat capers. They contain many flavonoids, which help lower blood cholesterol levels.
Treatment of liver diseases: prepare an infusion of capers. To do this, pour 1 tablespoon of chopped capers into boiling water (200 ml) and infuse for 15 minutes. Take 1 glass of infusion throughout the day.
Treatment of diseases of the stomach: eat capers for food. They contain a lot of acid, which helps improve digestion and treat various stomach ailments.
Treatment of heart disease: eat capers. They contain a lot of potassium and magnesium, which help to strengthen the cardiovascular system.
Rheumatism treatment: prepare an infusion of capers. To do this, pour 1 tablespoon of chopped capers into boiling water (200 ml) and infuse for 15 minutes. Take 1 glass of infusion throughout the day.
Treatment of respiratory diseases: prepare an infusion of capers. To do this, pour 1 tablespoon of chopped capers into boiling water (200 ml) and infuse for 15 minutes. Take 1 cup of the infusion throughout the day to treat respiratory problems such as coughs and bronchitis.

Cosmetology:

Anti-aging face mask: mix the crushed capers with honey and some olive oil. Apply the mask on your face and leave for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
Facial Cleansing Toner: make an infusion of capers, add some rose water and store in the refrigerator. Use toner after cleansing to remove makeup and impurities.
Hair strengthener: Prepare a decoction of capers, add a little apple cider vinegar and store in the refrigerator. Use the infusion as a hair conditioner to make it stronger and healthier.
Anti-aging eye cream: mix crushed capers with jojoba oil and sesame oil. Apply eye cream before bed to reduce wrinkles and improve skin texture.
Moisturizing lip balm: prepare caper oil, add some beeswax and jojoba oil. Use a lip balm to moisturize and soften your lips.

Attention! Before use, consult with a specialist!

Capers, Capparis. Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

cultivated and wild plants. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

Capers are the flower buds of the Capparis plant and are used in cooking to add flavor to dishes.

Tips for growing, harvesting and storing capers:

Cultivation:

Lighting: Capers need a sunny spot. Make sure the plant gets at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
Soil: The soil should be light, well-drained and fertile. It is recommended to add organic fertilizers to the soil before planting.
Temperature: Capers prefer warm climates. The optimum temperature for growing capers is between 20 and 25°C.
Planting: Capers can be grown both from seeds and cuttings. Seeds should be planted in early spring to a depth of about 1 cm. Cuttings can be planted at any time of the year. The distance between plants should be 30-40 cm.
Care: Capers should be watered regularly, especially on hot days, and fertilized with organic fertilizer every year in the spring. It is also necessary to remove weeds and control insects.

Workpiece:

Capers are harvested when they have not yet opened and are about 1-2 cm in size.
The collected buds should be washed and salted, then left for a day.
Then they can be moved to jars and filled with a solution of vinegar, water and salt.
Capers can also be used in marinades, seasonings, and as an accompaniment to many dishes.

Storage:

Capers can be stored in a solution of vinegar, water and salt.
Store capers in a cool, dry and dark place.
Capers can be stored for several months.

Capers are a delicious and aromatic ingredient that can be used in many dishes.

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