Common Juniper, Erect Juniper, Juniper berry

Where does Common Juniper grow?

Found in: Alaska, Albania, Arctic, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Austria, Balkans, Belarus, Bosnia, Britain, Canada, Czech Republic, Estonia, Europe, Faroe Islands, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Kurdistan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mediterranean, Mongolia, Myanmar, New Zealand, North America, Norway, Poland, Russia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tasmania, Turkey, United States

Notes: There are 50 to 60 Juniperus species.

Status: About 200 tons are harvested each year in central Europe. They are also eaten raw by children as snacks.

Growing Common Juniper, Erect Juniper, Juniper berry

Cultivation: Plants are grown from seed. The cones need 18 months of cold weather before seed will grow.

Edible Uses: CAUTION: The berries are edible in small quantities but are harmful in large amounts. They are used as a flavouring for example in gin. The berries and dried and the oil distilled off. The berries are dried then cooked with food to add flavour. They are used to flavour meat. They are also made into a conserves, jams and drinks. Roasted berries are used as a coffee substitute.

Production: Trees are very slow growing. The berries are harvested by hand and air dried.

Nutrition Info

References

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