Mezzanella Capers in Salt Ristoris 1 kg (Carton of 6 Tubs)

Ristoris Mezzanella Capers in salt: the versatile calibre for food service

The Ristoris Mezzanella Capers in salt are flower buds of the caper plant (Capparis spinosa), harvested while still closed and preserved using the traditional dry-salt method. The Mezzanella calibre is the intermediate size in the caper classification: larger than the prized Nonpareil and Surfines, but smaller than Capucines and Fini. It is precisely this balance that makes it the preferred format of professional kitchens, as it combines an attractive look on the plate with a very competitive price per kilo. Packed in a practical 1 kg tub and sold in cartons of 6 pieces, they are designed for kitchens, delicatessens, pizzerias and canteens that need a reliable, long-lasting supply.

What capers in salt are and why to choose them

The caper is the unopened flower bud of the caper bush, a hardy Mediterranean shrub that grows wild on dry-stone walls and sun-baked rocks across southern Italy and its islands. Preservation in salt is regarded by chefs and gourmets as the noblest method because, unlike brine or vinegar, it uses no added acids or preservatives: sea salt alone draws water from the bud and brings out its characteristic aroma. The result is a caper with an intense fragrance, a balsamic and slightly piquant note, and a more authentic, less masked flavour than the vinegar version.

The Mezzanella calibre in detail

A caper's size determines its classification and culinary use. The Mezzanella calibre measures roughly between 9 and 11 mm in diameter, a middle ground that makes it extremely flexible.

• Visual appeal: small enough to look elegant on carpaccio, tartare and starters, yet visible enough not to get lost in sauces and dressings.
• Concentrated flavour: the intermediate calibre ensures a balance between flesh and aroma, with a decisive but never aggressive savoury note.
• Versatility: suitable both whole as a garnish and chopped to flavour sauces, pasta and fillings.
• Cost efficiency: compared with the smaller, more sought-after calibres, it offers the same aromatic profile at a more accessible price, ideal for high-volume use.

Preservation in salt: desalting before use

Capers in salt arrive covered in dry salt, which ensures their preservation but makes them too salty to use directly. They must be desalted before use. The process is simple and takes only a few minutes.

• Take the required amount and shake off the excess salt.
• Rinse under cold running water, or soak in cold water for 10-15 minutes, changing the water once or twice.
• For a milder result, soak for up to 30 minutes, tasting one caper to check the desired level of saltiness.
• Pat them lightly dry with kitchen paper before adding them to the dish.

Do not use hot water, which would cook the bud and rob it of crunch and aroma. Once desalted, the capers should be used the same day.

Culinary uses

Mezzanella Capers are a cross-cutting ingredient of Mediterranean cuisine, able to add character to both hot and cold dishes.

• Pasta dishes: pasta alla puttanesca, spaghetti with anchovies and capers, summer pasta salads.
• Pizza and focaccia: a classic ingredient of Neapolitan and Sicilian pizza, paired with anchovies and olives.
• Fish and meat: indispensable in vitello tonnato, in sauces for baked fish, in pan-fried chicken and in gribiche and tartare sauces.
• Starters and finger food: on carpaccio, tartare, bruschetta, platters and seafood salads.
• Sauces and dressings: a base for caper pesto, salsa verde, tapenade and flavoured butters.

Storage and logistics

The sealed 1 kg tub keeps for a very long time in a cool, dry place, away from heat sources and direct light, thanks to the preserving action of the salt. Once opened, always keep the capers covered with their salt and reseal the tub well: under these conditions they keep for months without losing quality. No refrigeration of the intact product is required.

LAPA distributes Ristoris Mezzanella Capers throughout Switzerland with fast, reliable deliveries to Zurich, Geneva, Lugano and Basel and all the main food-service areas. The carton format of 6 tubs of 1 kg is ideal for optimising orders and reducing reordering frequency, ensuring continuity of service for restaurants, pizzerias, delicatessens and catering operations.