Juniperus communis
Fam: Cupressaceae
Juniper is widely distributed throughout the northern hemisphere and its birthplace is obscure. It is found in Europe, North Africa, North America and northern Asia. The main commercial producers are Hungary and southern Europe, especially Italy. The berries were known to Greek, Roman and early Arab physicians as a medicinal fruit and are mentioned in the Bible. In the Renaissance, they were recommended against snake bite, and plague and pestilence. Because of its air-cleansing piney fragrance, the foliage was used as a strewing herb to freshen stale air and the Swiss burned the berries with heating fuel in winter to sanitize stale air. Gin, the alcoholic drink that gets its unique flavour from juniper berries, is named from an adaptation of the Dutch word for juniper, "geneva".
Spice Description
Initially hard and pale green, juniper berries ripen to blue-black, become fleshy and contain three sticky, hard, brown seeds. When dried, the berries remain soft but if broken open one will find the pith surrounding the seeds is easily crumbled.
Bouquet: Fragrant and flowery, combining the aromas of gin and turpentine.
Flavour:Aromatic, bittersweet and piny.
Hotness Scale: 1
Preparation and Storage
Juniper berries are at their best when they are still moist and soft to the touch, squashing fairly easily between one's fingers. It is possible to make a purée from juniper berries or to extract the flavour and aroma by macerating them in hot water, but as all parts are edible and the texture is agreeable, it is usually just as well to use the entire fruit, split or crushed. The berries are quite powerful, one heaped teaspoon of crushed fruits serving for a dish for four people. Store in a cool place in an airtight container.
Culinary Uses
Juniper berries perform a quite unique role, by contributing as much to the character of food through their 'freshening' ability, as they do by way of their specific taste profile. As well as flavouring a dish, juniper cuts the gaminess of game, reduces the fatty effect of duck and pork and perks up a bread stuffing. The strong hearty flavour of juniper goes well with strong meats, such as game. Pork chops, roast leg of lamb, veal, rabbit, venison and wild boar are all enlivened with a hint of juniper. Juniper berries blend well with other herbs and spices, especially thyme, sage, oregano, marjoram, bay leaves, allspice and onions and garlic. One application I am particularly fond of is in a simple chicken casserole, It can effectively be added to wine marinades for meats, and is used with coriander in smoking meat. It seasons pâtés and sauces and in Sweden. Goulash and Sauerkraut often feature a juniper taste, as do some home-pickled meats like salt beef, salt pork and ham. Generally juniper can well be used in any dish requiring alcohol. Fruit dishes, such as apple tart and pickled peaches, also harmonize with this flavour.
Supplier: Cordyceps sinensis, morchella conica, morel mushroom, juniper berry, paris polyphylla, and other herbs and herbal extract
Buyer: Cordyceps sinensis, morchella conica, morel mushroom, juniper berry, paris polyphylla, and other herbs and herbal extract
Supplier: Essential oils and hydrosols from rosa damascena, lavandula augustifolia, melissa officinalis, helychrisum italicum (immortelle), roman chamomile, hysop and yarrow (achilea milefolium)
Services:
Supplier: Flower bulbs like gloriosa, hedychium, arisaema, curcuma, scadoxus multiflorus, lycoris, tacca, zephyranthes, gladiolus, freesia, flower seeds like gloriosa, tacca, passiflora, cyperus, musa, herbal, flower saplings
Supplier: Paneer Dodi Juniper Berries Revend Khataie Harmal. Oak Nuts
Buyer: Dried Juniper Berries
Supplier: Cordyceps sinensis, morchella conica, morel mushroom, juniper berry, paris polyphylla, and other herbs and herbal extract
Supplier: Ayurvedic herbs,, ayurvedic herb powders,, skin care herbal powders,, hair care herbal powders,, natural plant dyes,, natural hair colours, henna, herbal hair henna, neutral henna, indigo, red kamala, ratanjot, katha, manjistha, rhubarb, marshmallow, nettle, jatamansi, kapur kachri, kachur sugandhi, bhringraj, gotu kola, brahmi, amla, shikakai, reetha, nagarmotha, lemongrass, neem, sidr, licorice, costus, aloe vera, multani mitti tulsi, hibiscus, rose petal, lotus petal, lemon peel, orange peel, pomegranate peel, red sandalwood, white sandalwood, herbal face mask turmeric, white turmeric, amba haldi, devdar, khas, harad, baheda, lodhra, anantmool, arrowroot, jamun, ashwagandha, green tea leaf, fenugreek, curry leaf, coriander, cinnamon, clove, fennel, ginger, nutmeg, bay leaf, babool, banyan, gokshura
