Capers and histamine: Tips for selecting, preparing and using capers for histamine-sensitive people

In this article, we'll take a closer look at capers from a histamine perspective . The flower buds of the caper bush are rarely seen in German kitchens. But are they suitable for a low-histamine diet, or are they considered a high-histamine food? You'll find out the answer to this and much more in the following blog post.

Capers at a glance

As mentioned above, capers are the flower buds that grow on the caper bush. Caper bushes, which can reach a height of up to one meter and cling to walls and stones with their woody tendrils, are cultivated in southern European countries and North Africa.

The buds are olive green and are picked before they bloom. Capers come in all sizes, but are usually distinguished as small, medium, and large. The small ones are called "puntina," the medium ones "capperi," and the large ones "capperoni." Generally speaking, the smaller the caper, the better the quality .

Histamine in capers: Tolerability and histamine levels

Fresh capers are generally unsuitable for eating due to their very bitter taste. Therefore, they are most often found pickled in vinegar or brine – sometimes even marinated in salt. Natural capers are suitable for a low-histamine diet , so the type of pickling is crucial for those following a low-histamine diet. Since vinegar is highly intolerable, capers pickled in vinegar are not recommended . In this case, those affected should opt for capers in brine. The taste also depends on the pickling liquid, ranging from tangy and spicy to rather salty.
Capers preserved in sea salt are of high quality . Furthermore, this method of preservation best retains their natural flavor. If the capers are preserved in liquid, it is important to ensure they are always submerged after opening. This will keep them fresher for longer in the refrigerator.

Caper selection for histamine-sensitive individuals

• Vinegar
• citric acid
• Potassium metabolite
• Mustard seeds

• low-histamine diet
• low-fructose diet
• gluten-free diet
• lactose-free diet
• low-sorbitol diet
• low-salicylate diet
• low-nickel diet

Capers and caper berries: These are the differences

Caper berries are the significantly larger fruits of the caper bush. They contain many small seeds and, unlike capers (flower buds), are also suitable as a snack. In most cases, they are sold with the stem attached. Regarding histamine, the same applies as for capers.

Capers in low-histamine cooking: Processing

Due to their spicy flavor, capers are often used to refine sauces or to prepare fish and meat dishes.

Low-histamine recipes with capers

Below you will find some delicious and low-histamine recipes in which you can perfectly use capers.

Wiener Schnitzel with potato salad

• firm-cooking potatoes
• Onion (1)
• Parsley
• olive oil
• Water
• HistaFood Organic Vegetable Broth
• Acerola juice
• Coconut blossom sugar
• Capers preserved in salt (1)
• Salt

• Veal schnitzel
• egg yolk
• Spelt flour
• Spelt breadcrumbs
• clarified butter

Cod with roasted cauliflower

• Cod fillet
• Olive oil
• Fennel seeds
• Salt

• Dates
• Cauliflower
• Olive oil
• Capers in salt (1)
• Parsley
• red bell pepper

• clove (1)
• Ground cinnamon
• Acerola juice
• Olive oil
• HistaFood Vegetable Broth

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