how to 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.

How do I know what kind of juniper I have?

Identifying Common Junipers

Some common junipers have spiny needle-like leaves that grow in whorls of three: The leaves are sharp-pointed and glossy green with a broad white band on the upper side. The adult tree shape is often narrowly columnar. Common juniper bark is red-brown and peels off in thin, vertical strips.

Which Juniper berries are poisonous?

The berries of some species, such as Juniperus sabina also known as Savin Juniper, are toxic and consumption of them is inadvisable. All parts of the Savin Juniper plant are poisonous!

What do juniper berries look like?

It looks like a small green berry and ends up turning a bluish-black shade in the second year of growth. In the late spring, small flowers bloom on the juniper plant. The juniper berry is more like a small pine cone than a fruit.

Are all varieties of juniper berries edible?

Of the roughly 40 species of juniper, a small number are poisonous and a majority have bitter fruits. Only a few yield edible berries (actually modified cones) and only one is routinely used for flavoring. The flavoring juniper, best known for its contribution to gin, is common juniper, Juniperus communis.

Where do juniper berries come from?

The juniper tree, Juniperus communis, is an evergreen shrub that grows in many parts of the world, including North America, Europe, and Asia ( 1 ). It produces seed cones that are commonly known as juniper berries. Though the berries' coloring varies, most are deep blue.

Where do you buy juniper berries?

You will most likely find them in the spices aisle, but they can also be in the dried goods aisle. Whole Foods (US) – At Whole Foods, you can also find juniper berries in a small sachet or jar.

Are juniper berries dangerous?

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.

How can you tell if berries are poisonous?

Aggregated fruits and berries are almost always edible (blackberry, raspberry, salmonberry, and thimbleberry). Single fruits on a stem are usually considered safe to eat. Plants with shiny leaves or a milky sap are considered to be poisonous.

Are junipers poisonous to dogs?

The University of California - Davis list Juniperus (Junipers) in their Safe and Poisonous Garden Plants list as having a minor toxicity (class 2) for pets and children. This rating means ingestion of these plants may cause minor illnesses such as vomiting or diarrhea.

What time of year do juniper berries grow?

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.

What animals eat juniper berries?

Rabbits, coyotes, and many small mammals also eat the juniper berries, spread- ing the seed across the landscape.

Can you eat dried 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.

What is juniper berry good for?

Juniper is used for digestion problems including upset stomach, intestinal gas (flatulence), heartburn, bloating, and loss of appetite, as well as gastrointestinal (GI) infections and intestinal worms. It is also used for urinary tract infections (UTIs) and kidney and bladder stones.

Are juniper berries good for arthritis?

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.

What does Juniper mean?

Juniper has historically been used as both a boys' name and a girls' name. ... The Juniper tree's name is derived from the Latin word juniperus. In Latin, juniperus is combination of the word junio, which means young, and parere, to produce, hence youth producing, or evergreen.

Are capers and juniper berries the same?

It is fairly understandable for some of us to mistake juniper berries for capers and vice versa, since they are similar in size, shape and appearance, and are both used in cooking. But they are not the same and come from two different plants.

Which brand of gin has the most juniper berries?

The Most Juniper Forward Gins for Diehard Gin Lovers

Sipsmith V.J.O.P. ($50)
Beefeater London Dry Gin ($20)
Broker's London Dry Gin ($20)
Tanqueray London Dry ($22)
Junipero ($34)
Portland Dry Gin 33 ($32)

What does the name Juniper mean for a girl?

The name Juniper is a girl's name of Latin origin meaning "young".

How do you cook with juniper berries?

Juniper Berries?

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

Does Whole Foods have juniper berries?

Jar Juniper Berries, 1.1 oz, Spicely | Whole Foods Market.