Juniper berries for a warm, bittersweet taste

Juniper berries add a spicy and bittersweet aroma to various dishes. They are best enjoyed in marinades or dishes in which they are cooked for a long time. It is a classic spice that you can use for many more recipes than you would initially think. You can order it online at Natural Spices in a package of 350 grams, 1 kilo or 20 kilos. After buying you can easily store them in the handy plastic bucket in which they are packed. The optimal quality makes them ideal for use and adds a warm tone to various dishes.

What are juniper berries?

Juniper berries may be called berries, but this name is misleading. They are not berries, but the dried, ripened cones that grow out of the flowers of the shrub or tree. Juniper berries grow on the female plants of the conifer from the cypress family. These trees grow in most of the northern hemisphere. The ones you can order online at Natural Spices are from Germany.

The taste of juniper berries in recipes

Juniper berries taste spicy and refreshing at the same time. They also have a woody and somewhat bitter taste. Cooking them in dishes for a long time only releases their soft, sweet tones. They are therefore ideal for use in stews, ragouts and marinades. You grind the spice just before you use it. Juniper berries go well with meat, especially game. This is because it neutralises their strong flavour. You can also use the spice to season, for example, red beets or gherkins. Juniper berries go well with some other herbs such as parsley, bay leaf and celery.

The advantages for your health

In addition to the surprising, warm flavour that comes to the fore during cooking, juniper berries offer you more. They have a number of properties that make a positive contribution to your health. The spice is rich in antioxidants and has a stimulating effect on digestion. However, be careful with the quantity, as they can have a stimulatory effect on the kidneys.