ABSTRACT
The juniper is an evergreen with needlelike leaves, about 1 cm (0.4 inch) long, arranged in three’s. Common juniper is a very variable species, found in several forms. A small tree of pyramidal or columnar form up to 10 m (33 feet), or rarely to 15 m (49 feet), commonly occurs in Europe. Juniper berries are harvested from wild trees in northern areas for local use, especially in southern Europe. Commercial crops have been harvested in Canada and the United States, but most berries in commerce come from eastern Europe. In addition to culinary uses, juniper oil is employed for fragrance in soaps, detergents, creams, lotions, shampoos, and perfumes. The aroma of juniper is bittersweet, very reminiscent of gin, pine, and turpentine. The taste is sweet, pungent, slightly burning, with a bitter aftertaste. Juniper has been used to flavor beverages for centuries. Consumption of juniper berries should be limited.
