Are juniper tree berries edible?

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.

What can I do with juniper berries?

Because of their strong flavor, juniper berries aren’t eaten on their own like other berries. Rather, they’re used like a spice or a flavoring for a dish. The most prevalent way they’re used is to flavor gin. Other uses for juniper berries include in teas, meat dishes, brines, and in sauerkraut.

Do juniper berries taste good?

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. Juniper has a wonderfully piney taste with citrus overtones (sometimes compared to rosemary) and is a common ingredient in German food.

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.

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 make tea from juniper berries?

Instructions. Add the dried juniper berries to a tea ball and place in a large mug (alternatively, put the berries directly in the mug). Pour the boiling water into the mug. Let steep for 15 minutes.

Which juniper is used for gin?

While there are many types of juniper such as Chinese juniper (juniperus chinensis), Rocky Mountain juniper and Cade juniper (juniperus oxycedrus) [1], the type of juniper used in gin, common juniper, has the scientific name juniperus communis.

How do you cook with juniper berries?

Juniper Berries?

1. Crush the berry or toast it; crush it if you want a stronger flavor.
2. Rub it into the meat with some ginger or garlic.
3. Sear the meat.
4. Deglaze the hot pan (add some liquid to loosen up the meat flavors at the bottom of the pan).
5. Add some eggplant or a tart apple, such as a Braeburn or a Granny Smith.

Are juniper berries poisonous to humans?

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.

Is juniper berry tea good for you?

There are many health benefits of juniper as well as many associated with drinking juniper berry tea. It is very high in antioxidants and vitamins A and C. Antioxidants help fight free radicals in your body, which can cause cancer and heart disease.

What are the health benefits of juniper berries?

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.

Can you smoke juniper berries?

Practical uses of the juniper’s wood are few, and it was most commonly used to burn. This wasn’t so much for its heat, but rather for its smoke. Though burning juniper wood gives off only minimal visible smoke, this smoke is highly aromatic. In ancient times people used it for the ritual purification of temples.

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.