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All kinds of caper

Capers produced by the family owned Australian Caper Company are the first capers grown, processed and packaged in Australia.

Australian Caper CompanyEvery eight days in the early light of South Australia’s hot summer months, a delicate operation takes place on the rocky slopes of the River Murray.

Just as the sun rises, Jonathon Trewartha and his team of pickers set to work hand-picking the tiny unopened buds of the thousand caper plants that make up the Australian Caper Company.

Combining ancient techniques with modern research, Jonathon produces fresh, firm and flavoursome caper products that rival the best in the world.

Founder of Australian Caper Company, Jonathon says capers are an ideal ‘fit’ for South Australia’s climate.

“Caper crops are a resilient and undemanding crop perfect for a changing climate,” said Jonathon.

“Caper plants are drought resistant, can handle poor nutrient and well drained soils, can grow using high salinity water and are pest and disease resistant. Plus kangaroos and rabbits don’t like them!”

The Australian Caper Company produces caper buds in salt in four sizes, caper buds in olive oil and caper berries in spicy wine vinegar. A new product, caper salt was recently added to the range.

Jonathon said the Australian Caper Company was providing a cost effective alternative to imported products in a niche market as well as generating jobs in a new industry, and providing an alternative and sustainable crop for areas affected by dry and saline conditions.

Using organic farming methods and with low inputs required, they are producing healthy and fresh tasting capers, caper-berries and caper products since beginning in 1997 and now with six full
time employees.

This year the business will produce around two tonnes of caper products with a plan to grow over 25 fold in the next four years to over 50 tonnes per annum, by selecting four growers that will plant 10,000 caper plants over the next 12 months.

“I feel that the knowledge of eating locally grown Australian capers and caper berries add to the enjoyment of eating them, particularly because they are a plant requiring minimal amount of Australia’s precious water and grow in the poorest soils”, said Jonathon.

“You are eating the herb or the fruit of a plant that not only creates precious rural jobs but is environmentally sustainable and has the potential to rehabilitate land so degraded by salinity, that it can sustain no other crop.”

For more information

Contact
Jonathon Trewartha
p +61 414 989 107
e jonathon@australiancapers.com.au
w www.australiancapers.com.au