Caper bush (Capparis spinosa) is a drought-tolerant perennial shrub best known for producing capers, the unopened flower buds that are harvested and preserved in salt, brine, or vinegar. Native across a broad region extending from the Mediterranean through parts of Asia to the western Pacific, the plant is particularly associated with Mediterranean climates and is well adapted to hot, dry conditions and rocky, well-drained soils.

Although capers are the plant’s most familiar culinary product, the elongated fruits, known as caper berries, are also harvested and eaten. The plant itself is equally distinctive, producing showy white to pinkish-white flowers with numerous long violet-purple stamens.

In this guide, you’ll learn about the caper bush and its culinary, ornamental, and traditional uses, including the difference between capers and caper berries. You’ll also discover how to grow and care for Capparis spinosa, harvest its edible buds and fruits, and use this unusual drought-tolerant plant in the garden.

Flower Lovers Want to Know

What part of the caper bush do we eat?

The best-known edible part is the unopened flower bud, which is harvested and preserved in salt, brine, or vinegar to make capers. The plant also produces elongated fruits called caper berries, which are commonly pickled and eaten.

What is the difference between capers and caper berries?

Capers are the unopened flower buds of the caper bush, while caper berries are the fruits that develop after the flowers are pollinated. Caper berries are larger, usually contain seeds, and are often served whole with their stems attached.

Can you grow a caper bush at home?

Yes. Caper bushes can be grown successfully in warm, sunny locations with excellent drainage. They are particularly well suited to Mediterranean-type climates and perform best in full sun and rocky, sandy, or gravelly soil that does not remain wet.

Can caper bushes grow in containers?

Yes. Caper bushes can be grown in containers, especially where winters are too cold for them to remain outdoors year-round. Use a large container with drainage holes and a very well-drained potting mix, and place the plant in full sun.

What do caper bush flowers look like?

Caper bushes produce showy white to pinkish-white flowers with four petals and numerous long stamens, often tipped with violet or purple. Individual flowers are relatively short-lived but can be striking when the plant is in bloom.

Are capers eaten fresh from the plant?

Capers are generally not eaten immediately after harvesting because fresh buds have a sharp, bitter flavor. They are typically cured in salt or preserved in brine or vinegar, which develops the familiar tangy, salty flavor associated with culinary capers.

Is the caper bush drought tolerant?

Yes. Established caper bushes are highly drought tolerant and are naturally adapted to hot, dry environments. Good drainage is particularly important, as the plants generally tolerate dry soil much better than persistently wet conditions.

Caper Bush Quick Facts

Feature	Details
Botanical Name	Capparis spinosa
Common Names	Caper bush, caper plant
Plant Family	Capparaceae
Plant Type	Perennial shrub
Native Range	Mediterranean region and a broad area extending eastward across Asia to the western Pacific
Mature Size	Approximately 2–3 ft. tall with a wider, spreading habit
Sunlight	Full sun
Soil	Very well-drained, rocky, sandy, or gravelly soil
Watering	Low once established; drought tolerant
Flower Color	White to pinkish-white with violet-purple stamens
Bloom Period	Late spring through summer, depending on climate
Edible Parts	Unopened flower buds (capers) and fruits (caper berries)
Hardiness	Generally Zones 8–10; winter protection may be needed near the colder end of its range.
Propagation	Seeds or stem cuttings
Best Uses	Culinary gardens, Mediterranean gardens, rock gardens, containers, ornamental planting

Caper Bush (Capparis spinosa): Growing, Care, Uses & Harvesting

From its showy flowers to the edible buds and fruits harvested as capers and caper berries, Capparis spinosa is both an ornamental plant and a useful culinary crop. Here’s a closer look at what makes the caper bush distinctive and how its different parts are grown, harvested, and used.

What Is a Caper Bush?

The caper bush (Capparis spinosa) is a perennial shrub in the Capparaceae family, cultivated primarily for its edible flower buds and fruits. It is strongly associated with the Mediterranean region, where capers have been harvested and used as a food for centuries.

The plant has a low, spreading growth habit, with long branches that may extend several feet from the center of the plant. Its rounded to oval leaves are typically thick and somewhat leathery, an adaptation that helps the plant tolerate hot, dry conditions. Depending on the form, the stems may also bear small spines near the bases of the leaves.

One of the caper bush’s most distinctive features is its flowers. The blooms have four white to pinkish-white petals surrounding numerous long stamens, which often appear violet or purple toward their tips. Individual flowers are short-lived, but established plants can produce new blooms repeatedly during the flowering season.

The familiar culinary caper is actually an unopened flower bud harvested before it has a chance to bloom. Buds are typically picked by hand and then cured in salt or preserved in brine or vinegar. If a flower is allowed to open and is successfully pollinated, it can develop into an elongated fruit known as a caper berry.

Beyond its culinary value, the caper bush is notable for its ability to grow in hot, dry, rocky environments where many other garden plants struggle. Its drought tolerance, spreading habit, and unusual flowers make it useful both as an edible crop and as an ornamental plant in suitable climates.

Capers vs. Caper Berries

Although capers and caper berries come from the same plant, they are different parts of the caper bush. Capers are the unopened flower buds harvested before they bloom, while caper berries are the fruits that develop after flowers are pollinated. Both are commonly preserved before eating, but they differ in size, texture, flavor, and culinary use.

How to Grow and Care for a Caper Bush

Caper bushes are naturally adapted to hot, dry environments and generally perform best when grown in conditions that resemble their Mediterranean habitat. Full sun, excellent drainage, and relatively lean soil are more important than frequent watering or heavy fertilization. Once established, the plants are notably drought tolerant, although young plants need more consistent care while developing their root systems.

Sunlight Requirements

Caper bushes grow and flower best in full sun, ideally receiving at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight per day. Abundant sunlight encourages strong growth, flowering, and the production of the buds harvested as capers.

Choose an open, sunny location where nearby trees, buildings, or taller plants will not provide prolonged shade. South- or west-facing sites can work particularly well because caper bushes tolerate intense sun and heat once established.

Plants grown in containers should also be positioned in the sunniest available location. If a potted caper bush is moved indoors for winter protection, place it near a bright, sunny window or provide supplemental light if natural sunlight is limited.

Too much shade can result in weaker, less compact growth and reduced flowering, which also means fewer buds available to harvest as capers.

Soil Requirements

Caper bushes perform best in very well-drained soil and are naturally adapted to rocky, gravelly, and relatively poor growing conditions. Sandy or stony soils can work particularly well because excess water drains quickly away from the roots.

Avoid heavy clay, low-lying sites, or other locations where water remains around the roots after rain. If garden soil drains poorly, consider planting on a slope or raised area, improving drainage with appropriate mineral material, or growing the plant in a container.

Caper bushes do not require especially rich soil. Good drainage is generally more important than high fertility, and excessively rich conditions can encourage vigorous leafy growth without necessarily improving flowering or caper production.

Watering

Newly planted caper bushes need regular watering while their root systems become established. Water deeply, then allow the upper soil to begin drying before watering again.

Once established, caper bushes are highly drought tolerant and generally need supplemental water only during prolonged dry periods. Container-grown plants may require more frequent watering because pots dry out faster.

Avoid frequent, shallow watering, and adjust irrigation to weather conditions and soil moisture.

Fertilizing

Caper bushes have relatively modest nutrient requirements and generally do not need heavy fertilization. Plants growing in reasonably suitable soil may perform well with little supplemental feeding.

If growth appears weak or the soil is particularly poor, a light application of a balanced fertilizer or a small amount of compost in spring may be sufficient. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can encourage vigorous leafy growth without necessarily improving flowering or caper production.

Container-grown plants may require occasional feeding because nutrients are gradually depleted or washed from the potting mix. Apply fertilizer conservatively rather than trying to promote rapid growth.

Temperature

Caper bushes thrive in hot, dry summers and tolerate high temperatures remarkably well once established. Their preference for warmth makes them particularly well suited to Mediterranean-type climates and other regions with long, sunny growing seasons.

Growth is most vigorous during warm weather, while cooler temperatures naturally slow the plant’s growth. Gardeners in regions with short or cool summers may find that plants grow and produce flower buds less vigorously than they do in warmer climates.

Pruning

Caper bushes can develop long, sprawling stems, so pruning helps maintain a manageable shape and encourages vigorous new growth. Because flower buds develop on new growth, appropriate pruning can also support future caper production.

Pruning is generally carried out during the dormant or cooler season before active spring growth begins. Remove dead, damaged, or weak stems and shorten excessively long branches as needed to maintain the desired size and form.

Use gloves when handling plants with spiny stems, as some forms of Capparis spinosa can have sharp stipular spines near the leaf nodes.

Growing Caper Bushes in Containers

Caper bushes can grow successfully in containers, making them a useful option for gardeners in colder climates. Choose a large container with generous drainage holes and enough room for the developing root system.

Use a gritty, fast-draining potting mix and place the container in full sun. Water thoroughly when needed, allowing excess water to drain freely.

Because containers dry out faster than garden soil, check moisture levels regularly during hot weather.

Mulching

Caper bushes generally do not need a thick layer of organic mulch. If mulch is used, a thin layer of gravel or small stones can help suppress weeds without holding excessive moisture around the base.

Keep mulch from accumulating directly against the crown.

How to Plant a Caper Bush

Caper bushes are best planted in a warm, sunny location with excellent drainage. Because established plants develop extensive root systems and dislike persistently wet conditions, choosing the right location from the beginning is important.

In climates where caper bushes can remain outdoors year-round, plant young plants in spring after the danger of damaging frost has passed and the soil is workable. Container-grown plants can also be planted later in the growing season, provided they have enough time to become established before cold weather arrives.

Planting in the Ground

Choose a sunny location. Select a site receiving at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight each day.
Prepare the planting hole. Dig a hole approximately as deep as the root ball and wide enough to accommodate the roots comfortably.
Handle the roots carefully. Young caper plants can be sensitive to root disturbance, so keep the root ball as intact as possible.
Set the plant at its existing depth. Position the top of the root ball approximately level with the surrounding soil.
Backfill and water. Fill around the roots with soil and water thoroughly to settle the plant.

Young plants need more dependable moisture during establishment. Give them enough room to accommodate their spreading branches and avoid crowding them among plants that require frequent irrigation.

How to Propagate Caper Bush

Caper bushes can be propagated from seeds or stem cuttings, although both methods can require patience. Seeds may germinate slowly and irregularly, while cuttings can sometimes be difficult to root. Vegetative propagation has the advantage of producing plants with characteristics similar to the parent plant, while seedlings may show greater variation.

Growing Caper Bush from Seed

Caper seeds have a reputation for slow and inconsistent germination. Fresh seed may germinate more readily, while stored seed can require pretreatment to help overcome dormancy.

For stored seeds, one established method involves soaking the seeds in warm water and then giving them an extended period of cold, moist stratification before sowing. After stratification, the seeds can be soaked again and planted approximately 1/4–1/2 inch deep in a loose, well-drained growing medium.

Keep the growing medium warm and lightly moist without allowing it to become waterlogged. Germination may begin within several weeks but can continue for two or three months, so don’t discard pots simply because seedlings fail to appear quickly.

Once seedlings are large enough to transplant, handle their roots carefully. Move them into individual containers with well-drained potting mix and allow them to develop before planting them in their permanent location.

Propagating Caper Bush from Cuttings

Caper bushes can also be propagated from stem cuttings. Take cuttings from healthy, vigorous plants and place them in a freely draining propagation medium. Maintain appropriate moisture around the cutting without saturating the growing medium. Warm conditions and controlled humidity can improve the environment for root development.

Rooting may take time, and not every cutting will succeed. Once a cutting has developed a healthy root system and begun producing new growth, gradually acclimate it to normal growing conditions before transplanting it into a larger container or permanent garden location.

How to Harvest Capers and Caper Berries

Capers and caper berries are harvested at different stages of the plant’s reproductive cycle. To harvest capers, pick the flower buds before they open. To produce caper berries, allow some flowers to bloom, be pollinated, and develop into fruits.

Harvesting Capers

Capers are the unopened flower buds of Capparis spinosa. Harvest them while the buds are still firm, tightly closed, and green.

The buds are traditionally picked individually by hand, and plants may need to be checked repeatedly during the flowering season because new buds continue to develop. Smaller buds are generally considered more desirable commercially and are often graded separately from larger ones.

For the best harvest:

Pick buds while they are still tightly closed.
Harvest regularly as new buds reach usable size.
Handle the buds gently to avoid bruising.
Sort them by size if you plan to cure a larger harvest.
Process the buds rather than eating them directly from the plant.

Freshly harvested caper buds have a bitter, sharp flavor and do not taste like the capers sold in jars. Their familiar salty, tangy flavor develops during curing or pickling.

Harvesting Caper Berries

To harvest caper berries, leave some flower buds on the plant instead of picking all of them as capers. The buds will open into flowers, and successfully pollinated flowers can develop into elongated fruits.

Harvest the fruits while they are still suitable for pickling rather than allowing every berry to become fully mature and split open for seed dispersal. Caper berries are considerably larger than caper buds and contain numerous seeds.

Like caper buds, caper berries are generally preserved in brine or vinegar before being eaten.

Balancing Capers and Caper Berries

Gardeners who want to harvest both products need to decide how many buds to pick and how many to leave on the plant. Every bud harvested as a caper is one less flower available to produce a caper berry.

For a mixed harvest, collect some tightly closed buds throughout the flowering season while allowing others to open and develop into fruit. This provides capers for curing while preserving some of the plant’s distinctive flowers and producing berries later in the season.

How to Cure and Preserve Fresh Capers

Freshly harvested caper buds are usually cured before eating because the raw buds have a sharp, bitter flavor. Salt curing, brining, or pickling helps reduce bitterness and develops the tangy, savory flavor associated with prepared capers.

Before curing, sort the buds, remove any stems or damaged material, rinse them thoroughly, and drain.

Salt-Curing Capers

One traditional method is to layer fresh capers with coarse salt in a clean container. As they cure, the salt draws moisture from the buds and gradually changes their flavor and texture.

Drain away any liquid that accumulates and redistribute the capers and salt periodically so they cure evenly. Before using, rinse or briefly soak salt-cured capers if they taste excessively salty.

Brining or Pickling Capers

Capers can also be preserved in brine or vinegar. Some methods first soak the fresh buds in water, changing the water regularly for several days to help reduce bitterness before transferring them to a preserving liquid.

For home use, refrigerated brining or pickling is the simplest approach when you are not following a tested canning recipe.

Food-Safety Note

The methods above describe general curing and refrigerated preservation, not shelf-stable canning. If you want to store capers at room temperature, use a tested recipe from a reliable food-preservation authority and follow its specified vinegar, salt, water, jar size, and processing instructions exactly.

Culinary Uses of Capers and Caper Berries

Capers and caper berries are both used to add tangy, salty flavor to food, but their different sizes and textures make them suited to different dishes. Capers are generally used as a seasoning or ingredient, while the larger caper berries are often served whole or added to dishes where their texture can be appreciated.

Before cooking with heavily salted or brined capers, taste them first. Rinsing or briefly soaking them can reduce excess saltiness when necessary.

Sauces and Condiments

Capers are a familiar ingredient in sauces and condiments, where their sharp flavor provides contrast to rich or creamy ingredients. They can be chopped or added whole to tartar sauce, remoulade, salsa verde, vinaigrettes, and compound butters.

They also pair particularly well with lemon, garlic, parsley, olive oil, mustard, and other strongly flavored ingredients.

Pasta, Pizza, and Salads

A small amount of capers can add acidity and savory flavor to pasta dishes, pizzas, grain salads, potato salads, and green salads. Because their flavor can be concentrated, they are usually used in relatively small quantities rather than as the main ingredient.

Capers are also associated with several classic Mediterranean dishes and sauces, including pasta puttanesca and preparations that combine tomatoes, olives, herbs, and olive oil.

Fish, Seafood, and Meat

The salty acidity of capers makes them particularly useful with fish and seafood. They are commonly combined with lemon and butter or olive oil and served with cooked fish.

Capers are also used with poultry and meat. Chicken piccata, for example, commonly combines capers with lemon and a pan sauce, while chopped capers can be incorporated into sauces served with roasted or grilled meats.

Caper Berries

Caper berries are larger and milder than caper buds and have a fleshy texture with numerous small seeds inside. They are usually pickled and can be served whole as part of an antipasto platter, alongside olives and cheeses, or as an accompaniment to salads and savory dishes.

Their long stems are often left attached, making pickled caper berries convenient to serve as appetizers or garnishes.

Easy Caper Butter

This simple compound butter pairs the briny flavor of capers with lemon and parsley and works well with fish, seafood, roasted vegetables, potatoes, and crusty bread.

Ingredients

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
1–2 tablespoons capers, drained and finely chopped
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Place the softened butter in a small bowl.
Stir in the chopped capers, lemon zest, parsley, and black pepper until evenly combined.
Taste before adding any salt, as the capers may already provide enough.
Use immediately or refrigerate in a covered container until firm.

For serving, add a small amount to hot fish, vegetables, or potatoes and allow the butter to melt over the food.

Nutritional Properties and Traditional Uses

Capers are valued primarily as a condiment, but they also contain a variety of naturally occurring plant compounds. Research on Capparis spinosa has identified flavonoids such as rutin and quercetin, along with phenolic compounds, glucosinolates, vitamins, and minerals.

Antioxidant Compounds

Rutin, quercetin, and other phenolic compounds found in capers have antioxidant activity. Researchers have studied extracts from different parts of the caper plant for potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other biological effects.

However, much of this research involves isolated compounds, plant extracts, laboratory studies, or animal models rather than ordinary dietary consumption of pickled capers. These findings therefore should not be interpreted as evidence that eating capers can prevent or treat particular diseases.

Another nutritional consideration is sodium. Commercial capers are commonly preserved in salt or brine and can be relatively high in sodium. Rinsing brined or salt-cured capers before using them can remove some of the salt on their surface.

Traditional Medicinal Uses

Different parts of the caper bush have a long history of use in traditional medicine in regions where the plant grows. Ethnobotanical accounts describe the use of the roots, bark, leaves, buds, and fruits for a variety of purposes, including preparations traditionally associated with digestive complaints, rheumatism, skin conditions, and other ailments.

These traditional applications are historically and culturally interesting, but they should not be treated as established medical treatments. Although researchers continue to investigate the biological activity of Capparis spinosa and its compounds, clinical evidence in humans remains limited.

For everyday use, capers and caper berries are best regarded as flavorful foods rather than treatments for medical conditions.

Ornamental and Landscape Uses of Caper Bush

Although caper bush is best known as a culinary crop, it can also be an attractive ornamental plant in hot, dry landscapes. Its sprawling growth habit, rounded green leaves, and distinctive white to pinkish-white flowers give it considerable visual interest during the growing season.

Rock and Mediterranean Gardens

Caper bush is particularly well suited to rock gardens, gravel gardens, dry slopes, and Mediterranean-style landscapes. In its native and cultivated range, the plant is often associated with rocky terrain, stone walls, and other sites where drainage is exceptionally good.

Its tolerance of heat and drought makes it useful in landscapes where plants requiring frequent irrigation would be difficult to maintain. It pairs naturally with other plants adapted to sunny, dry conditions, although enough space should be provided for its long, spreading branches.

Walls and Slopes

Caper bushes are well known for growing in rocky crevices and even on old stone walls in Mediterranean regions. Their extensive root systems allow established plants to obtain moisture from dry environments and help them persist in sites with limited soil.

The plant has also been studied and used for erosion control on steep, rocky slopes and other erosion-prone sites. Its drought tolerance and ability to establish in difficult terrain can make it useful for certain dry-land landscaping and soil-stabilization projects.

For home gardens, however, caper bush should not be treated as a universal erosion-control solution. Successful establishment still depends on climate, soil, drainage, slope conditions, and appropriate planting practices.

Edible Landscaping

Caper bush can also work well in an edible landscape because it combines ornamental flowers with a harvestable crop. Gardeners can collect some unopened buds for capers while leaving others to develop into flowers and eventually caper berries.

Leaving some buds unharvested also preserves the plant’s floral display, which can be one of its most attractive ornamental features.

Common Problems, Pests, and Diseases

Caper bushes are generally resilient plants when grown in the hot, dry, well-drained conditions they prefer. Serious pest and disease problems are relatively uncommon in home gardens, although stressed plants and those grown in unsuitable conditions can develop problems.

Poor Growth or Few Flowers

Weak growth or poor flowering is often associated with insufficient sunlight, excessive watering, or overly rich soil. Check the plant’s growing conditions before increasing fertilizer or irrigation.

Yellowing Leaves

Yellow leaves can result from several causes, including excess moisture, root stress, nutrient problems, or seasonal changes. In marginal climates, some leaf loss may also occur naturally as temperatures fall.

Root and Crown Problems

Persistently wet soil can cause root and crown decline. Prevent problems by planting in freely draining soil, avoiding overwatering, and ensuring containers have unobstructed drainage holes.

Mealybugs and Other Sap-Feeding Insects

Mealybugs can occasionally infest caper bushes, particularly plants grown in containers or protected environments. Look for white, cottony clusters around stems and leaves, along with sticky honeydew or declining plant vigor.

Small infestations can often be managed by removing affected material or physically dislodging the insects. Check nearby plants as well, since mealybugs can spread between container plants.

Other sap-feeding insects may occasionally feed on caper foliage, buds, or stems, depending on the growing region.

Caterpillars and Other Leaf-Feeding Insects

Several types of insects can feed on caper foliage and flower buds in regions where the plant is widely grown. Damage may appear as holes in leaves, chewed foliage, or injured flower buds.

Inspect plants periodically, particularly during active growth. Minor feeding on an otherwise healthy plant may not require treatment, while more extensive damage should be identified before choosing an appropriate control method.

Fungal and Viral Diseases

Unusual leaf spotting, distorted growth, persistent yellowing, or damaged flower buds can have several possible causes. Keep the growing area clean, avoid unnecessary moisture on foliage, and remove badly affected material when appropriate. If symptoms continue to spread or the cause is unclear, consult a local extension service or plant diagnostic laboratory before applying a pesticide or fungicide.

USDA Hardiness and Winter Care

Caper bush (Capparis spinosa) is a heat-loving plant best suited to regions with hot summers and relatively mild winters. It is generally grown as a perennial outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 8–10, although cold tolerance can vary depending on the plant, local climate, and growing conditions.

In warmer climates, caper bushes may retain much of their foliage through winter. Near the colder end of their range, plants may become deciduous and lose their leaves as temperatures fall. Established roots may survive conditions that cause the above-ground stems and foliage to die back.

Protecting Caper Bushes in Winter

Good drainage is especially important during winter, when cold, wet soil can increase the risk of root damage.

In marginal climates:

Plant caper bushes in a warm, sheltered location with full sun.
Choose a south- or west-facing site where possible.
Avoid low areas that remain wet during winter.
Reduce watering as growth slows and temperatures fall.
Protect young plants from unusually severe freezes.
Wait until spring to assess and remove stems damaged by winter cold.

Overwintering Container-Grown Caper Bushes

Gardeners in colder climates can grow caper bushes in containers and move them to a protected location before severe freezing weather arrives.

Keep overwintering plants in a cool, bright, frost-free location and reduce watering while growth is slow or dormant. The potting mixture should not remain constantly wet.

Container roots are generally more vulnerable to freezing than roots growing in the ground, so leaving a potted caper bush exposed outdoors through a cold winter is riskier than growing the same plant in the landscape.

Companion Plants for Caper Bush

Allow enough room for the caper bush’s spreading branches and group it with plants that have similar water requirements. Lavender, rosemary, thyme, sage, and santolina all work well in dry, Mediterranean-style plantings.

Companion	Why It Works
Lavender	Full sun, excellent drainage, drought tolerant
Rosemary	Similar Mediterranean growing conditions
Thyme	Low-growing and suited to dry, sunny soil
Sage	Prefers sun and good drainage
Santolina	Drought tolerant with contrasting silvery foliage

Final Thoughts

Caper bush (Capparis spinosa) is an unusual plant that combines ornamental appeal with a distinctive culinary harvest. Its unopened flower buds provide the capers familiar in Mediterranean cooking, while flowers left on the plant can develop into the larger fruits known as caper berries.

For gardeners who can provide full sun, excellent drainage, and warm growing conditions, caper bush can be a rewarding addition to Mediterranean gardens, rock gardens, edible landscapes, and containers. Once established, its tolerance of heat and drought also makes it particularly well suited to dry garden settings.

Whether grown for its striking flowers, harvested buds and fruits, or ability to thrive in challenging sunny sites, caper bush offers considerably more garden value than the small jars of capers found in the grocery store might suggest.