AI-generated illustration.
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What is it?
Juniper berries are used whole or crushed as seasoning. Here we start with dried berries sold for cooking.
«Aromatic and pine-like, with citrus notes.»
Background
Use dried juniper berries sold for cooking. We mean small amounts as seasoning, rather than a large part of the dish.
Flavour profile
Aromatic and pine-like, with citrus notes. The flavour can become dominant.
Pairs well with
Game, lamb, cabbage, dark sauces and meat stews.
Lightly crush a few before putting them in the pot. Use a spice bag to make the pieces easy to remove.
Did you know?
The producer describes both pine character and citrus notes. This makes juniper more than just a game seasoning.
Common mistakes
Too much can make the sauce taste mainly of woodland. Coarse pieces left in at serving can also come as a surprise.
Know the difference
Juniper berries are not peppercorns, even though both may sit as small dark balls in the cupboard.
Good to know
Light crushing makes it easier to release flavour into the cooking liquid. A spice bag makes the pieces easy to remove.
Other flavours to try
Bay leaves, thyme, pepper and garlic.
Try it with
Try a little in a small portion of game sauce before seasoning the whole batch.
When to go easy
Lots of rosemary and juniper in the same sauce can taste very resinous. Add a little at a time and taste as you go.
Storage
Keep the spice tightly closed somewhere dark and dry, away from cooker steam. Smell it before use, and buy only what you need. Follow the advice on the packet for fresh or processed products.
Try it yourself
Let one lightly crushed berry infuse in a little stock. Taste at intervals and assess when the aroma becomes clear. A tasting idea for your kitchen, not a Sapidus test result.
1 claims linked to sources.
Source research was AI-assisted. Explore the background and follow the links to the sources.