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Feature
Botanical Name:
Juniperus communis
Common Name:
Juniper Berries
Country of Origin:
Bulgaria
Cut:
Whole, Plant Part:
Berry
Kosher
Description
While harvested from a very common evergreen, the flavor of this deep blue berry is anything but ordinary. Spicy, sweet, with a piney aroma, juniper berries (actually cones) are delicious in stews and soups, with meats and vegetables. If you've enjoyed a gin and tonic, you know the taste.
Directions: To prepare as a tea, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of herb to 8 ounces. water in a pot. Cover and simmer for 15 to 30 minutes, strain and serve immediately.
Safety Info: Not to be used for more than four to six weeks in succession. Persons with inflammatory kidney disease should not use this herb. Not to be used during pregnancy.
Processing Notes: The berries of Juniperus communis ripen in the autumn three years after they are formed. Therefore a plant will be bearing fruit in all stages of maturity at any one harvest time, which accounts for the varying flavors of individual berries.
