What does caprese mean?
“Caprese” refers to something that comes from or is in the style of Capri, an Italian island off the coast near Naples. Tourists know the island mostly for its villas, grottos and jutting limestone towers. Culinarily speaking, it’s best known for its namesake salad, the insalata caprese — fresh tomatoes, basil and mozzarella. The name of the island comes from “capra”, the Italian word for “goat”. (In English, “caprine” refers to anything having to do with goats.) A real insalata caprese, though, is not made with goat’s milk cheese, but with true Mozzarella di Bufala Campana — buffalo’s milk mozzarella made in certain designated areas of Italy — Naples included.
