✦ Gin's defining botanical
✦ Piney resinous essential oils
✦ Used in tiny quantities
✦ Game and marinade spice
Juniper berries are the seed-cones of Juniperus communis, used as a spice in game cookings, marinades, and as the defining botanical flavour in gin. They are used in very small quantities and contribute piney, resinous essential oils (primarily alpha-pinene and sabinene) alongside trace minerals. They should not be confused with other juniper species, some of which are toxic.
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Preparation note
Crush lightly with the back of a knife or in a pestle before use — crushing releases the essential oils. Use 4-6 berries per recipe; a heavy hand makes dishes taste medicinal.
Sources:
CoFID 2021
Where Juniper “seeds” Stands Out
Macronutrients per 100g
1,531
kJ
Energy
5.00
g
Protein
55.0
g
Carbs
25.0
g
Fibre
14.0
g
Fat
19.0
g
Sugars
Vitamins & Minerals
| Nutrient | Per 100g | % Daily Value* | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iodine | 0.000 µg | 0% | |
| Monounsaturated fat | 0.200 g | — | |
| Polyunsaturated fat (PUFA) | 0.100 g | — | |
| Glutamic acid | 0.950 g | — | |
| Arginine | 0.600 g | — | |
| Aspartic acid | 0.450 g | — | |
| Leucine | 0.410 g | — | |
| Valine | 0.285 g | — | |
| Phenylalanine | 0.255 g | — | |
| Serine | 0.250 g | — | |
| Proline | 0.250 g | — | |
| Alanine | 0.250 g | — | |
| Isoleucine | 0.230 g | — | |
| Glycine | 0.225 g | — | |
| Threonine | 0.180 g | — | |
| Tyrosine | 0.175 g | — | |
| Lysine | 0.175 g | — | |
| Histidine | 0.130 g | — | |
| Methionine | 0.110 g | — | |
| Cysteine | 0.090 g | — | |
| Tryptophan | 0.075 g | — | |
| Plant sterols (total) | 20.0 mg | — | |
| β-Sitosterol | 14.0 mg | — | |
| Stigmasterol | 3.00 mg | — | |
| Campesterol | 3.00 mg | — | |
| Omega-6 (Linoleic acid) | 0.100 g | — | |
| Omega-3 (Alpha-linolenic acid) | 0.000 g | — |
Sources:
CoFID 2021