Capers

Capers are available preserved both in salt and in vinegar. The advantage of those preserved in vinegar is that they last a long time, even after the jar is opened. Unfortunately, capers in vinegar inevitably take on a vinegar flavor that will not go away even if you rinse them. Capers preserved in salt do not last as long, but because the salt imparts no flavor, they taste only of capers. You can tell when they spoil because the salt turns yellow. When using salted capers, first soak them in several changes of water to rinse away the salt.