A juniper berry is the female seed cone produced by the various species of junipers. It is not a true berry, but a cone with unusually fleshy and merged scales, which gives it a berry-like appearance.
Is juniper and juniper berry the same?
The juniper tree, Juniperus communis, is an evergreen shrub that grows in many parts of the world, including North America, Europe, and Asia ( 1 ). It produces seed cones that are commonly known as juniper berries. Though the berries’ coloring varies, most are deep blue.
What is another name for juniper berry?
common juniper, Juniperus Communis, gin.
What is juniper berry used for?
Juniper berries or extract of the plant has traditionally been used as diuretic, anti-arthritis, anti-diabetes, antiseptic as well as for the treatment of gastrointestinal and autoimmune disorders.
What happens if you eat a juniper berry?
All juniper berries contain the powerful oil Thujone. This oil can cause stomach upset, diarrhea, and kidney problems when ingested in large quantities. Certain varieties of juniper berry contain safe, low amounts of Thujone, while other varieties contain high levels and can make you very sick.
Which juniper berries are poisonous?
The berries produced by Juniperus sabina and Juniperus oxycedrus are toxic. Only consume berries from juniper plants that you can positively identify. The entire juniper plant contains Savin oil which is harmful to the kidneys even in small doses.
Can you eat all juniper berries?
Of the roughly 40 species of juniper, a small number are poisonous and a majority have bitter fruits. Only a few yield edible berries (actually modified cones) and only one is routinely used for flavoring. The flavoring juniper, best known for its contribution to gin, is common juniper, Juniperus communis.
Is gin made from juniper berries?
Juniper berries: Juniper berries have a woody, pine-like flavor. They are the only required botanical ingredient for liquor to be considered gin and are usually added during the distillation process.
How do I identify juniper berries?
Feel that base and branches of the juniper to look for sap. Juniper’s sap is very sticky and thick, with an aroma similar to that of the berries. It is also dark-colored. Look to see if the plant that has these berries hanging on it is a shorter bush, shrubs or tree.
What plant produces juniper berries?
A juniper berry is the female seed cone produced by the various species of junipers. It is not a true berry, but a cone with unusually fleshy and merged scales, which gives it a berry-like appearance.
Can you drink juniper berry tea?
Dried juniper berries can be made into a delicious and healthy herbal tea.
What drink is made from juniper berries?
Gin
Gin /ˈdʒɪn/ is a distilled alcoholic drink that derives its predominant flavour from juniper berries (Juniperus communis).
Is juniper berry good for the liver?
Both juniper berry oil and fish oil treatment improved rates of bile flow from 25 microL/g/h (corn oil) to 36 and 38 microL/g/h, respectively. Importantly, juniper berry oil reduced cell death in pericentral regions of the liver lobule by 75%.
Can you eat dried juniper berries?
Dried juniper berries (or fresh ones, when they are available) are used as a flavoring in Northern European cuisine, especially in Scandinavia, Germany and the Alsace region of France.
Why does gin have juniper berries?
A single juniper plant will hold berries in every stage of ripeness, so they have to be picked a few times a year. Juniper provides gin with its sharp, piney and resinous flavour that carries a hint of citrus.
Can juniper leaves get you high?
Although Juniperus species are used throughout the world for both ritual and medicinal purposes, only the species Juniperus recurva has a reputation for being psychoactive.
How do you know if juniper berries are safe?
Make sure you can recognize the bush that is the source of the safe seasoning or some very unpleasant experiences may await from harvesting juniper berries off the wrong plant. The common juniper is hardy in USDA zones 2 to 6 and is found in a wide variety of soils. The plants grow in Asia, Europe, and North America.
How many juniper berries do I need for gin?
Easy compound gin recipe
700ml bottle good quality vodka (we used a rye vodka) 2 tbsp juniper berries. 6 cardamom pods.
Can you eat juniper needles?
Creeping juniper leaves and berries look nearly exactly like those of red cedar. But as its name implies, it grows low to the ground, rarely exceeding heights of 10 inches. Branches are no greater than 3/4 inch in diameter. All three species are edible and have similar medicinal properties.
Which gin has the highest amount of juniper berries?
Sipsmith uses triple the amount of juniper berries in this expression as in its normal London Dry, chasing “a desire to create the ultimate gin for juniper lovers.” It’s also 57.7 percent ABV, making it a solid pick for a strong Gin & Tonic.
Is gin just vodka with juniper berries?
Vodka can be infused with flavors from whatever is mixed into it like orange soda, cranberry, or other things. Gin is primarily distilled from malt and grain and then mixed with Juniper berries. This gives gin the distinctive flavor of Juniper.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.