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Juniper Berry
Baie de Genièvre
Appears in
Published 2010
Scientific name: Juniperus communis
Available form: Whole berries (dried or fresh)
Junipers are from the genus Juniperus from the Cypress family, Cupressaceae. Between 50 and 70 species of juniper can be found growing from the Arctic to the mountains of Central America. Junipers can vary in size and shape, from 66- to 131-foot (20- to 40-meter)-tall trees to low-spreading shrubs. Considered an evergreen, they have needle or scale-like leaves.
The juniper berry is actually a female seed cone and is only called a berry because it is unusually fleshy and berry-like. Juniper berries are green when immature and usually turn purple-black over a period of 18 months. Gin is flavored with the immature green berries, whereas the dark, mature berries are commonly used in food and cooking. The younger berries have a piney taste that is accompanied by notes of citrus as the berries mature.