Full Answer
Are juniper berries poisonous?
Some species of juniper produce toxic berries, while others do not. All juniper berries contain varying amounts of thujone, an oil that can cause gastrointestinal distress, diarrhea, and even kidney damage when consumed in large quantities. Certain species contain very little amounts, while others are packed with thujone.
What kind of berries do junipers have?
Juniper berries aren't actually berries; they're the tiny cones of the juniper bush (a relative of the popular landscaping shrub). Most juniper berries used in recipes come from the species Juniperus communis, a plant that grows in northern climates. Note that not all juniper berries are edible,...
How long does it take for juniper berries to mature?
Juniper berries can take about two years to mature for use. When mature, they turn a dusty blue to black color. Mature, but still green juniper berries, are used to make gin. Can You Eat Juniper Berries You Pick?
Why do we eat juniper berries?
Even the berries, which are small and abundant, lure the birds to come and fetch them instead of gracelessly cluttering the yard. Juniper berries have a long tradition of use in food, beverages, and medicine. I wrote some weeks ago about the fact that they are the main flavor in gin.
What does juniper berry taste like?
If you’ve ever tasted gin, you know what juniper berries taste like. The flavor is sometimes described as citrusy and evergreen, sometimes as reminiscent of rosemary. Juniper fruit has both bitter and sweet overtones. It’s complex, and useful for flavoring much more than gin.
What is the most flavorful juniper berry?
Since this isn’t a botany class, I’m going to call them berries for the sake of conversation. The fruit of common juniper ( Juniperus communis) is generally considered to be the most flavorful juniper berry, but J. virginiana (eastern red cedar) also produces tasty, edible berries.
How long does it take for a juniper to ripen?
Juniper fruit takes about two years to ripen, so it’s not unusual to find both green (unripe) and purple/blue (ripe) fruit on the tree at the same time. And while a ripe fruit makes an excellent trail nibble, an unripe fruit is intensely bitter and unpleasant.
Is it safe to eat juniper berries?
If eaten in huge quantities over an extended period of time, juniper berries may be toxic. But don’t let this alarm you unnecessarily. The same can be said of other common cooking spices.
Is juniper fruit fresh?
When you forage for your own juniper, you’ll know exactly how fresh and flavorful they are. The flavor of fresh juniper fruit is juicy and complex; I pick them as a trail nibble when I’m hiking. Dried berries aren’t juicy, but they are spicy and enticing. Fresh or dry, juniper berries have a strong flavor, so use them in moderation.
Is J. sabina toxic?
Here’s how it ends: “The quantity of toxic ingredients, sabinene and sabinol, in gin were unknown. Neither was anything known concerning their toxicity to man. In fact, no formal studies had ever been carried out on the chronic toxicity of these materials.”
Is Juniperus sabina dangerous?
There is one juniper ( Juniperus sabina) that may be dangerous when eat en, but scientific literature on the subject is frustratingly incomplete. Studies have been made of both the bark and essential oil of J. sabina. The amount of essential oil estimated as harmful to humans is approximately one gram.
What is the flavor of juniper berries?
The flavor of juniper berries is said to tone down the gaminess of venison, wild boar, waterfowl, and other game meats. The dusty coating on juniper berries is actually a wild yeast, so juniper berries have also been used for centuries in beer-crafting and breads; many sourdough starter recipes call for juniper berries.
What are juniper berries used for?
During the Middle Ages, juniper berries were used to ward off disease and infection. Though part of this may have been plague-paranoia, juniper berries do have antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-viral properties. Native Americans used juniper berries as a medicine to treat sore throats, colds, pain, fever, headaches, joint inflammation, dizziness, kidney stones, as well as to flavor wild game, cakes, and breads. The flavor of juniper berries is said to tone down the gaminess of venison, wild boar, waterfowl, and other game meats.
What is a juniper berry tonic?
This tonic, now known as gin, instantly became a huge hit throughout Europe as an inexpensive, domestic, buzz-producing alcohol beverage, rather than the medicinal tonic Sylvius had intended it to be. However, for centuries before Sylvius developed his juniper berry tonic, juniper berries had already been used as a strong flavoring for wine, mead, ...
What is juniper gin?
Junipers. By: Darcy Larum, Landscape Designer. Printer Friendly Version. Image by Magone. In the mid-17th century, a Dutch physician named Francis Sylvius created and marketed a diuretic tonic made from juniper berries. This tonic, now known as gin, instantly became a huge hit throughout Europe as an inexpensive, domestic, ...
What are the berries in Sauerkraut?
In Germany, authentic sauerbraten and sauerkraut are made with juniper berries. Juniper berries are not eaten in handfuls, straight off the bush like the sweet, juicy blueberries they resemble. Juniper berries have a strong, bitter, slightly peppery flavor and gritty texture.
Is Juniperus communis edible?
The common juniper, Juniperus communis, is the variety most often used to make gin, medicines, and food dishes, as it is considered safe for human consumption. Other edible juniper berries include: NOTE: The berries of Juniperus sabina and Juniperus oxycedrus are not safe for human consumption and should be avoided.
Can juniper berries cause diarrhea?
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.
Why are juniper berries crushed?
Just a few are used, and they are usually crushed to release their flavor. It is said that they make a domestic meat taste like their wild counterparts. In medicine, juniper berries are recognized for both their high content of volatile oils and their beneficial resins.
Where do junipers grow?
Junipers grow in most parts of North America. They aren’t too picky about the soils in which they grow, with the exception of their dislike for an extremely wet one. Because they can tolerate extremely dry conditions, you may have met a juniper even if you live in the city.
What is the best shrub for bee hives?
Our juniper shrub has played an important part in our farm since the very beginning. It was much smaller when we moved in, but nonetheless, was the best shelter on the property for our very first bee hives. The mockingbird, for which we named our farm, nested in the juniper just above the hives that first year and we took it as a good sign.
How tall does a Juniper bush grow?
Our juniper bush towers over us these days. It has grown from a modest six feet to easily 11 feet over the past 15 years. I won’t bother picking any of the berries above my head. In that way, I can leave some of the berries for the birds. Juniper leaves are sharp, so it’s best to use gloves when picking juniper berries.
What is juniper berry tea?
Juniper berries have a long tradition of use in food, beverages, and medicine. I wrote some weeks ago about the fact that they are the main flavor in gin. In Norway, where my family originates, it is common to home brew with juniper berry tea. You’ll find recipes that include juniper berries with meat, especially fish.
How to pick mulberry bushes?
The time-honored way to pick is much like mulberry picking. Place a sheet underneath the shrub, grasp a branch with berries, and gently shake. The berries will fall off quite easily. You are looking for only the blue, ripe berries. Anything green will rot before it dries.
Can you dry juniper berries?
It has turned rather chilly and humid here, so I’ll most likely use the dehydrator. It takes quite a while to fully dry a juniper berry because it is highly resinous.
What is juniper berry used for?
Juniper berry uses. Unlike other berries, juniper berries are typically used only in small amounts to flavor foods — not eaten in large portions. They have an astringent, pine-like taste, which makes them a popular ingredient for seasoning recipes and infusing beverages.
Why are juniper berries important?
Juniper berries are rich in essential oils and flavonoids that function as potent antioxidants and may help reduce inflammation.
What are the compounds in Juniper Berry?
One test-tube study detected over 70 compounds in juniper berry essential oil, with the monoterpenes alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, myrcene, limonene, and sabinene making up the majority. All of them add to the oil’s strong antioxidant effects.
What are the volatile oils in juniper berries?
The volatile oils in juniper berries contain substances known as monoterpenes, including limonene, camphor, and beta-pinene. Monoterpenes have been shown to provide anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties ( 4 ).
What is a juniper tree?
The juniper tree, Juniperus communis, is an evergreen shrub that grows in many parts of the world, including North America, Europe, and Asia ( 1. Trusted Source. ). It produces seed cones that are commonly known as juniper berries. Though the berries’ coloring varies, most are deep blue. Their aroma is often described as woody or spicy.
Do Juniper berries have vitamins?
Though nutrition information on juniper berries is limited, they’re known to provide certain vitamins and an array of plant compounds.
Does Juniper Berry oil kill fungus?
In one test-tube study, juniper berry essential oil demonstrated antibacterial and antifungal effects against 16 species of bacteria, yeasts, yeast-like fungi, and dermatophytes, a type of fungus that grows on your skin, causing diseases like ringworm ( 16. Trusted Source.
What is a juniper bush?
Juniper (Juniperus spp.) bushes are popular shrubs that produce a bluish colored berry. With varieties hardy from U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 2 through 10, many junipers are purely ornamental, but some produce berries that people use to flavor gin and other products. Juniper berries are only useful when they are properly ripened and come from the right juniper, so harvest them from the right plant at the right time.
How long does it take for a juniper to ripen?
Juniper berries ripen on a two- to three-year cycle. In the first year, the plant forms flowers that eventually produce berries. In the second year of the cycle, the berries often remain hard and green in color. By the third year, the berries develop a rich purplish blue color, which signifies that they are ripe. Fruit over the entire plant is always in different stages. Plants have a combination of all three stages of berry on them at any given time. When harvesting your berries, only remove the ripe berries.
How much sun does a Juniper need?
Common junipers prefer full-sun locations where they receive a minimum of six to eight hours of direct sun each day . Your plant may tolerate light shade locations, but less sun results in fewer berries on your shrub. Junipers tolerate dry sites once established, but they prefer moist, yet well-drained soil. Consistent soil moisture helps promote good juniper nutrition and keeps berries plump and firm.
Is juniper a fruit?
Not all juniper berries are edible. In fact, some are poisonous. The common juniper (Juniperus communis), hardy in USDA zones 2 through 6, is widely used for flavorings, including gin. These are the only juniper berries edible as fruit, and even they can be toxic if consumed in large quantities. Other varieties of juniper such as the California juniper (Juniperus californica), hardy in USDA zones 8 through 10, yield berries that are not poisonous but are bitter-tasting. Herbalists harvest and dry these berries for herbal uses.
What is juniper berry used for?
They were used to treat numerous diseases by the ancient Greeks as well as the Arabs and Native American Indians. The berries were used either chewed raw or steeped into a tea to treat gastrointestinal complaints, rheumatic pain, and for back and chest ailments.
What temperature to cook juniper berries?
Try adding juniper berries to your next batch of roasted potatoes. Preheat the oven to 350 F. (177 C.).
How long to cook juniper berries in oven?
Preheat the oven to 350 F. (177 C.). Place olive oil and juniper berries into a baking pan and put in the preheated oven for a few minutes to warm the berries and get them to release their essential oils.
What is the flavor of a juniper martini?
Juniper berries are what gives a gin martini its unique flavoring. While gin has been a popular intoxicant for over 300 years in western culture, juniper berries have actually been used medicinally since the 16th century.
How many species of juniper are there?
How to Use Juniper Berries. Common juniper, Juniperus comunis, belongs to the family Cupressaceae that encompasses around 60-70 species of aromatic evergreens throughout the Northern Hemisphere. It is the most widely distributed conifer in the world and the most common in the Northern temperate region. Male and female reproductive organs are found ...
How many seasons does a berry have?
Male and female reproductive organs are found on separate plants, thus, only females have fruit. These berries mature in one to three seasons and contain one to twelve seeds, although the norm is around just three.
Can You Eat Juniper Berries?
Yes, juniper berries are edible. In fact, you may have tasted them before without even knowing it if you drink alcoholic beverages. Juniper berries are what gives a gin martini its unique flavoring. While gin has been a popular intoxicant for over 300 years in western culture, juniper berries have actually been used medicinally since the 16th century.
Which Juniperus is safe?
Other varieties, including Juniperus deppeana, Juniperus phoenicea, Juniperus drupacea and Juniperus californica are also known to produce safe berries, and one variety, californica, yields a berry that is significantly sweeter and more palatable than other varieties.
What are juniper berries used for?
Aside from being processed into various rinses, cosmetics and other dermatological processes the dried and ground berries would be incorporated into saves, ointments and lotions for the treatment of wounds or skin elements.
What is the history of juniper?
Most interestingly, the juniper plant, specifically the berry, has a long and distinguished history both culinarily and in medicine. All the way back in the 17th century, Francis Sylvius, a Dutch physician, whipped up what was supposed to be a medicinal tonic made from, you guessed it, juniper berries.
What does a berry taste like?
When eaten, the berries are usually described as gritty in texture and being possessed of a plant or pine- like, resinous and slightly citrusy flavor.
How long does it take for a conifer to turn purple?
This process takes about 18 months.
Why do Indians use berries?
American Indians used them to treat sore throats and other ailments. Whole, ripe berries would be used as an ingredient in teas and other concoctions to reduce exhaustion and improve stamina.
Where do junipers grow?
They grow in lowlands and highlands alike, and are impressively hardy plants. Female junipers are also known for producing appetizing-looking, dark blue or black berries alongside their needle-like leaves.
What are juniper berries?
Juniper berries are the key flavoring in gin, which was originally known as jenever ("juniper") and was developed in the Netherlands. Juniper berries were used in cooking and for medicinal purposes in ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, and ancient Rome, and have been found in India and other Asian cultures as well.
What is juniper in German food?
Juniper has a wonderfully piney taste with citrus overtones (sometimes compared to rosemary) and is a common ingredient in German food. A well-known Alsatian dish, choucroute garnie, contains sauerkraut with sausage and potatoes, seasoned with pepper and juniper berries.
How to crush berries?
To crush the berries, put a tablespoon or so in a zippered bag and lightly smash them with a meat mallet, hammer or wine bottle. Once they're flattened, dump them on a cutting board and chop them finely with a chef's knife before adding to your dish or marinade.
Can you pull juniper berries off a bush?
Note that not all juniper berries are edible, so don't go pulling them off a bush unless you're sure they're the safe kind.
Can you rub crushed juniper berries?
You can rub crushed juniper berries into the meat of your choosing before roasting it. Add a little ginger or garlic to the rub for a savory flavor. Or you can stew the berries before marinating or basting the meat with them. Read More.
