Junipers (Juniperus spp.) are used in horticulture, in foods, medicine, and also essential oils/perfumery, but what they are most famous for is for the production of gin! By definition, Juniper needs to be the predominant flavor in order to classify a spirit as gin.
It is the Juniper berry that is used in gin production and cuisine, and it may be surprising to you to know that it is really not a berry but a little conifer cone! The seed cones are so fleshy that they form what we all know of as the Juniper “berry”. In fact, Juniper berries are the only spice to come from a conifer tree!
Don’t just go out harvesting your Juniper hedge to eat the berries, however, because it is important to know that there are only about 5 species that produce the berries which are considered edible—the others are too bitter and may have adverse effects.
Junipers are a coniferous genus consisting of about 50-67 species, with a wide distribution throughout the Northern Hemisphere, and commonly cultivated in the Southern Hemisphere, as well. They are known not only in the tropics, but also up to very high altitudes, with one of the highest treelines in the world occurring in Tibet at 16,000 feet.
#MedicinalPlants #Ethnopharm #Ethnobotany #Juniper #Gin #Spirits
Photo by Ivar Leidus
*This post is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, cure or treat any disease. Always seek medical advice directly through consultation with a health professional.