Juniper Berries

The berries from Juniperus communis plant, are used as a spice, particularly in European cuisine, and also give gin its distinctive flavour.

Their aroma is often described as woody or spicy. Juniper have a tart, pine-like flavor and are commonly used in small amounts as a spice or flavoring agent.

These small berries have been used for culinary and medicinal purposes since ancient times, and current research suggests that they may offer various health benefits.

Juniper berries are used in northern European and Scandinavian cuisine to "add a sharp, clear flavor" to meat dishes, especially wild birds and meats. Juniper is used to season pork, cabbage, and sauerkraut dishes. Besides Norwegian and Swedish dishes, juniper berries are also sometimes used in German, Austrian, Czech, Polish and Hungarian cuisine, often with roasts (such as German sauerbraten). Northern Italian cuisine, especially that of the South Tyrol, also incorporates juniper berries.

Juniper, typically Juniperus communis, is also used to flavor gin