| approximate cups to one pound | 5 |
| origin | Germany |
| plant part used | The seed cones, commonly referred to as juniper berries. |
| processing | whole |
| storage tips | Keep in a well-sealed container away from drafts and excessive moisture and light. |
| appearance & aroma | Whole, dark blue juniper berries with a pine-like aroma when crushed. |
| cosmetic | Infuse the crushed berries in oil or alcohol for skin and hair products. Juniper berry tinctures are known for producing a warming sensation on the skin. |
| decorative | Use in potpourri and floral displays. |
| culinary | Add to soups, braised meats and game. The whole berries are also traditionally added to sauerkraut. |
Has a strong, resinous and pine-like flavor. Use sparingly.
A sauce or syrup of juniper berry is traditionally served as a condiment to
accompany rabbit, pheasant, quail, venison and other game meats. Combined with
anise,
rosemary and other herbs, juniper berries are
used as a barbeque seasoning and flavoring for barbeque sauce.
Juniper is a small coniferous tree in the cypress family that is
native to Europe and southwestern Asia. The shrub is also
naturalized in the southern coastal areas of North America. The
berries, which are technically cones, ripen in the fall. However, it
takes two years for them to change from green to purplish-black.
In Europe, juniper berries are traditional flavoring agents for game
meats and smoked fish. They are also frequently paired with
rosemary,
garlic,
marjoram and other mint family members to season stuffing and
gravy. The whole berries can also be treated like
peppercorns and ground
fresh at the table in a spice grinder.
The ancient Egyptians used juniper berries as food and also to remedy intestinal parasites. Because the tree is not native to the region the berries had to be imported, probably from Greece. In addition to the mention of juniper in various ancient Egyptian writings, remnants of juniper berries have been found at the tomb of Tutankhamun, better known as King Tut, which indicates the people may have also used the herb as an offering to the departed. The early Canaanites considered juniper berries a symbol of fertility and healing and dedicated them as offerings to Ashera, the Mother Goddess and consort of El sometimes referred to as the lost goddess of Egypt and She Who Walks On (or in) the Sea.
Today, juniper berries are largely limited to culinary use, especially in northern Europe where they are commonly used to balance the pungent flavor of game meats. Juniper berries are a key flavoring ingredient in gin and a beverage called sati, a type of rye beer enjoyed in Norway and Finland. Juniper berries are a key ingredient in gin, the alcoholic beverage that takes its name from the Dutch word for juniper, or genever. Originally, the concoction developed by the 17th century Dutch physician and chemist Franciscus Sylvius was intended to aid in dispelling gout, lumbago and disorders of the kidneys and gallbladder, but it soon travelled from the pharmacy to the battlefield. In fact, the term "Dutch courage" stems from the habitual imbibing of English soldiers to muster up courage when fighting against the Spanish during the Dutch Revolt (aka The Eighty Years War). During the reign of William the Orange, and for the decades that followed known as the Gin Craze years, gin became a popular drink for commoners, although its quality declined from a lack of juniper berries and the substitution of turpentine.
In Norway, juniper foliage is used in cladding, a traditional method of insulating barn walls from wind and rain. The process is tedious, but well-constructed juniper cladding can last for decades, reportedly up to 50 years in some cases.
chemical composition
Various flavonoids, catechin tannins, diterpenes, monosaccharides, pinene and limonene.
safety
Juniper berries should not be consumed during pregnancy or if there is a history of kidney disease. Because certain compounds in juniper berries may stimulate insulin release from the pancreas, this herb should not be used if diabetes is present.
Frequently bought together
