Juniper

Also known as: Common Juniper, Juniper Berry, Juniper Bush, Gin Berry, Mountain Juniper, Wacholder

Juniper (Juniperus communis) is an evergreen conifer of the Cupressaceae family, native to cool temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North America and long valued as both a wild-harvested flavoring and a sacred, protective plant. Its needle-like, aromatic foliage and fleshy blue-black seed cones—commonly called 'berries'—are the part most used in the kitchen, lending their distinctive pine-resin, gin-like aroma to game, sauerkraut, marinades, and bitters. A member of the cypress family rather than a true herb, juniper has flavored food and drink, perfumed sacred spaces, and served as a medicinal remedy since ancient times.