Juniper
Junipers are coniferous trees and shrubs in the genus Juniperus of the cypress family Cupressaceae. Depending on taxonomic viewpoint, between 50 and 67 species of junipers are widely distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere, from the Arctic, south to tropical Afr…
Full Answer
What is good substitute for juniper berries?
What do juniper berries look like? The cones of juniper bushes are leathery and have fused scales, which gives them a berry-like appearance. The berries of some species turn blue when mature, while others species turn red. When the fruits have a blue, red, or copper color, they're typically softer than those of other conifers.
What are the side effects of juniper berries?
Mar 21, 2020 · What does a juniper berry bush look like? Junipers produce a seed in a cone structure that is made up of modified leaves called bracts. The cones of juniper bushes are leathery and have fused scales, which gives them a berry-like appearance. The berries of some species turn blue when mature, while others species turn red. Click to see full answer.
Are juniper berries really poisonous?
Jan 24, 2022 · How do I identify juniper berries? Look for a plant with berries that appear blue on it in this open sunny area. The berries are a little smaller than regular blueberries and grown at the ends of the branches. You will smell a pine aroma that is very strong as you come closer to the juniper plant. They hang in clusters.
What are the different uses of juniper berries?
The berries on the California Juniper look are fleshy whispers of light blue or muted browns with the signature white surface coating. With foliage and bark this beautiful, it’s surprising that more people dont opt for Juniper trees or bonsais instead of the classic green suburban tree varieties. Blue Star Juniper – Juniperus Squamata
Is it safe to 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.Aug 31, 2021
How do I identify juniper berries?
Look for a plant with berries that appear blue on it in this open sunny area. The berries are a little smaller than regular blueberries and grown at the ends of the branches. You will smell a pine aroma that is very strong as you come closer to the juniper plant. They hang in clusters.Jul 21, 2017
Which juniper is poisonous?
Juniperus communis is the variety typically used for flavoring. 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.
How can you tell if a juniper is edible?
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. Instead, just a small quantity of mature juniper berries are added to recipes as a flavoring or spice.Mar 7, 2021
Are all varieties of juniper berries edible?
All juniper species grow berries, but some are considered too bitter to eat. In addition to J. communis, other edible species include Juniperus drupacea, Juniperus phoenicea, Juniperus deppeana, and Juniperus californica.
Are cedar berries and juniper berries the same?
Plants in the botanical genus Juniperus carry common names of both juniper and cedar. If the botanical identities of the juniper and cedar in question are both in genus Juniperus, their fleshy female cones or "berries" are the same.Jan 26, 2011
Can you pick juniper berries?
When to Harvest Juniper Berries Juniper berries ripen for 2 to 3 years. The first year produces flowers, the second a hard green berry, and by the third, they are ripening to a deep blue. Pick berries in the fall once the plant has numerous blue berries.Mar 22, 2022
What kind of juniper is used for gin?
Juniperus communisThe flavoring juniper, best known for its contribution to gin, is common juniper, Juniperus communis. It occurs naturally in Asia, Europe and North America, and it is the parent of dozens of popular ornamental varieties.Mar 20, 2008
Is cedar and juniper the same?
Cedar is the common name for a variety of trees, including both "true" cedars (those belonging to the genus Cedrus) and "false" or "New World" cedars, which include a number of different trees from separate but similar genera. Junipers are trees belonging to the genus Juniperus.
What does a juniper berry taste like?
Juniper berries taste a lot like the way pine smells, fresh, woodsy and very green. You may also detect a fruity citrus flavor and a hint of spice. Overall, the flavor of the juniper berry is pungent but pleasantly so.
What can I do with juniper berries?
The spicy, aromatic, dark berries of the juniper tree can be used fresh or dried, crushed or whole, to flavour casseroles, marinades and stuffings and complement pork, rabbit, venison, beef and duck. They can also be used in sweet dishes such as fruitcake. Juniper berries also provide the main flavouring for gin.
Are one seed juniper berries edible?
The berries of Juniperus monosperma (one-seed juniper) are rather unpalatable. This tree-like, bluish juniper is used in landscaping and looks a little like an arborvitae. The berries of J. sabina (Savin juniper), are toxic and consumption is inadvisable.Sep 19, 2010
What does juniper berry taste like?
If you’ve ever tried gin you’ll have a fair idea of what juniper berries taste like, although the ones used for cooking are riper. They have a slightly piney flavor with a touch of both fruitiness and pepperiness.
Where do juniper berries come from?
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 . Americans are most likely to have encountered juniper in gin, the liquor that gets its name from the Dutch or French word for juniper.
What is Jamie Oliver's favorite food?
Juniper berries are a common ingredient in Germanic food. In Alsace, a French province bordering Germany, choucroute garnie is a hot sauerkraut dish with sausage and other meats that’s especially popular in winter.
Where were the art stolen during the Nazi occupation?
During the Nazi occupation of France, many valuable works of art were stolen from the Jeu de Paume museum and relocated to Germany. One brave French woman kept detailed notes of the thefts
Is a juniper a berry?
Botanically speaking, the dark little berries of juniper trees—which are conifers—are female seed cones, not true berries. But we’re speaking culinarily, in which case the dark violet orbs look and taste enough like berries to deserve the name.
What is the fruit of a juniper?
The Fruit. Junipers produce a seed in a cone structure that is made up of modified leaves called bracts. The cones of juniper bushes are leathery and have fused scales, which gives them a berry-like appearance. The berries of some species turn blue when mature, while others species turn red.
What are juniper leaves?
The Leaves. Juniper leaves are scale-like, needle-like or awl-shaped, and typically pressed close to the branches. Different needle forms are usually mixed on the same branch, but may also be separated by branch. Some species have needles that are jointed at the base, while others merge smoothly with the stem.
How many species of juniper are there?
Juniper shrubs are part of the genus Juniperus, which consists of about 50 to 60 species of evergreen, coniferous trees and shrubs. They’re hardy in a variety of growing conditions and are often used as specimens and border plants.
Is a juniper a conifer?
Juniper species vary in size and shape, from low, spreading shrubs with trailing branches to tall trees, but they’re all evergreen conifers. The juvenile foliage of juniper shrubs is prickly, and this is an identification feature in seedlings.
Do juniper trees bear fruit?
Juniper shrubs have a strong, distinctive odor, which helps to identify plants in this genus. Many also bear male and female flowers on separate plants, so some will bear fruit while others won't. Juniper species vary in size and shape, from low, spreading shrubs with trailing branches to tall trees, but they’re all evergreen conifers. The juvenile foliage of juniper shrubs is prickly, and this is an identification feature in seedlings.
