NAME: Juniperuscommunis

FAMILY: Cupressaceae

ORIGIN: Macedonia

APPEARANCE: dark blue berries, hard texture

TASTE: pungent and sharp; bitter-sweet

HEALING POWERS: mild diuretic, helps with bloating, PMS, lowers blood sugar, is used as an ingredient in various medicines and treatments

PART OF PLANT: fruit

PROCESSING METHOD: after harvesting the berries are dried in the sun

COOKERY: 

• cooking seasoning, seasoning added to soups, fish and meat products, sauces, marinades, stuffing

CATERING/HOSPITALITY:  

• the berries are used to make gin, wine and beer, and it can be used as a decoration added to gin-tonic in order to further emphasize the taste of the gin
• juniper goes well with Mediterranean spices and citrus

• dark, dry place at room temperature
• shelf life: 24 months