If youve always wondered, we have the answer.
A few weeks ago I came across a recipe calling for nonpareil capers.
Capers are the salty pickled flower buds of a Mediterranean shrub, which is a far cry from sprinkles.
Simply Recipes / Photo Illustration by Wanda Abraham / Getty Images
What did these things have in common?
Suddenly I was curious why the labels of both featured this little-seen word.
Its pronouncednon-PAH-rehl(notnon-par-EEL, which is how I clumsily said it).
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Sometimes its spelled non-pareil or non pareil.
As if thats even helpful!
Why would small flat chocolate discs covered with sprinkles have a name that means having no equal?
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Confusingly, the tiny spherical sprinkles themselves are also called nonpareils.
If youve ever accidentally over a container of these sprinkles, you know this name is quite apt.
Are other types of sprinkles, like the popular rod-shaped funfetti ones formerly known as jimmies, also nonpareils?
Generally no, but theres no entity policing this stuff.
What About Capers?
It can also refer to a size of caper.
Are any of these things truly without equal?
Thats up to you, dear reader.
Bonus: Are Dragees Edible?
They, too, fall under the umbrella of nonpareils.
I wasfascinatedby these things as a kid.
As a living child of the 1980s, I can vouch that eating dragees will not kill you.
Go ahead and indulge on a nonpareil dragee or two this holiday season.
Their rarity is what makes them special.
