Straight from the bush, they are incredibly bitter . They only develop their signature tangy, salty, and pungent flavor after being cured in brine, vinegar, or dry salt.

They are a staple in dishes like Chicken Piccata or pesto pasta to add a sharp, floral punch.

If the bud is left to bloom and fruit, it becomes a caper berry , which is larger, starchier, and often served with the stem attached, similar to an olive. 2. Storytelling: The "Caper" Genre

A classic caper involves a criminal mastermind , an intricate plan, a quirky team of specialists, and inevitable twists that complicate the original scheme.

In the kitchen, capers are the unripened flower buds of the Capparis spinosa shrub, native to the Mediterranean basin .

These stories are typically lighthearted, witty, or tongue-in-cheek rather than dark or gritty.

The Thomas Crown Affair , Ocean’s Eleven , and the board game Caper: Europe . 3. Policy & Reporting: HUD CAPER