Non Gamstop CasinosNon Gamstop Casinos

Your online resource

for all things culinary


HOME Search this Site All Recipes Special Sections Articles &� Resources Kitchen Equipment Food & Health Growing Food Directories

Missing an Ingredient ? UKFoodOnline.co.uk

�

Juniper Berries

Information about Juniper Berries plus Juniper Berry Recipe Collection

�

Ingredient of the Month�

Scroll down for Juniper Berry recipes

Click here for more Ingredients of the Month

August�

2003

�

�

Juniper berries� (Juniperus communis L.) belong to the plant family Cupressaceae (cupress family). Classed as a shrub, the plant grows to� 4 to 6 feet high.� The berries are used for the production of the volatile oil which is a prime ingredient in Gin.� In fact, the name �juniper� derives from the French 'genievre,' which means gin. It is one of the few examples of spices from a cold climatic region.

�

�

�

Origin and History of Juniper Berries

�

The plant is� widely distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere in particular� in Europe and Asia and grows prolifically in the wild.

�

Juniper has been used for medicinal purposes as far back as 1550BC. A papyrus from ancient Egypt� was discovered which showed Juniper berries as an ingredient for a medicine to treat tape worms. It is perhaps because of their medicinal qualities that they were initially incorporated into cooking.

�

During the Roman Empire, the dried berries replaced pepper, which was not only scarce but also� expensive and they were used to flavour sheep and game as well as in sauces.�

�

During the Renaissance c14th Century,� their popularity grew probably to counteract the rich, spicy foods which were being consumed at that time,as juniper berries aid digestion and it is thought that� this same reason probably accounts for the making of Gin which was first distilled in Holland in the 17th Century.

�

�

Cultivation and Processing of Juniper Berries

�

Juniper berries take two or three years to ripen, so blue and green berries are often seen together on the same plant. Only the blue, ripe berries are picked. Many of the crops are harvested from the wild in Europe where the berries are gathered in the autumn by laying a sheet under the bush and then beating it. Once collected, they are laid out to dry a little, during which process they lose some of the blue bloom and develop the blackish colour seen in commerce.�

�

It is possible to grow Juniper plants either from seed or by taking cuttings. Seeds should be sown in a cold frame in spring and planted out in their permanent position one year later. Stem cuttings should be taken in early autumn and potted in a sandy soil under glass. Male and female plants are needed for berries to be produced.

�

�

Juniper Berries in Cooking

�

Juniper Berries have a bitter-sweet taste and aroma which goes particularly well with stronger meats and game. Having said that, if used with discretion, it also compliments chicken, pork and certain fish such as Salmon.�

�

Popular in some European cuisines, they are excellent when used in marinades,� stuffings and p�t�s and are also particularly good with cabbage. They are a traditional ingredient in German Sauerkraut.

�

Store them� in an airtight container in a dry, cool place, away from direct sunlight and lightly crush just before using to release their flavour.

�

IMPORTANT:�

Amongst its many� medicinal uses, Juniper� is used as a diuretic and also as a uterine stimulant during labour to improve contractions. It should therefore be avoided during pregnancy and� should not be used when breastfeeding. Do not give to children under 12 years or the elderly, or to people with kidney disease.�

�

�

CLICK HERE FOR LOTS OF RECIPES USING JUNIPER BERRIES

�

�

�Follow us�

Share�

�

�

�

�Sign up for Free E-mailings
�
�

I still haven't found what I'm looking for

�

Try our search facility. Type in your main ingredient (s) or whatever you happen to have available in your store cupboard or fridge and allow us to whisk you up a recipe in seconds!

�

�

�

For full advanced search tips visit our main search page via the red "search this site" button at the top of the page

�

�

Conversion Charts��| ��� History of� Food� �|� Ingredients�� |� International Recipes� |�Special Diets� |Table Settings� |


�

�

About Us� |� Contact Us� |�� Advertise�|� � Private Privacy��|�� Media Resources��|� Links� |� Sitemap� |��Printing Recipes� |��

�

Abbreviations on this site��

�

�

�

This Web Site was designed and created by Recipes4us.co.uk. Copyright � 2000 to date [Recipes4us] All rights reserved.

�Some Photos � www.fotolia.co.uk

�

�

�