Database caching is a technique used to store frequently accessed data in a temporary storage area, known as a cache. This allows applications to retrieve data more quickly, reducing the time it takes to access information from a database. By keeping copies of popular data in memory, caching minimizes the need for repeated queries to the database, which can be slower. When a request for data is made, the system first checks the cache. If the data is found there, it is returned immediately, improving performance. If the data is not in the cache, the system retrieves it from the database, then stores a copy in the cache for future requests.