Juniper Berries

Juniper Berries are the fruit of the Juniperus Communis Plant, or the Common Juniper. Perhaps best known for being used to make gin, they have plenty of uses in the culinary world too. Their flavour is sharp and tart, with undertones of citrus and pine and are great for use when cooking game meats. You’ll often find them in recipes for pheasant, venison and duck, as the sharp flavour cuts through the richness of the meat. That’s not to say you can’t use Juniper Berries with other meats like lamb and pork, they can work well there too.

These tasty berries don’t only pair well with meat dishes. They’re great for potato based meals, or for making pickled foods, and even in salads and dressings if you want to try something new. Ideally, crush Juniper Berries before adding them to the recipe to help impart the maximum flavour.

As with all herbs and spices, add a little at a time to get the flavour you want. You can always add more, but taking it out again can be impossible!