04/10/2026
Long before gin claimed juniper as its signature note, these little berries were burned to purify the air and carried during outbreaks of plague, believed to ward off illness.
They're one of the few conifer products used as a spice rather than a wood, and they give Spiced Rhubarb its subtle, savoury backbone alongside the ginger, rhubarb and chilli.
In the cooler and more mountainous areas of Europe where Juniper grows well, its used as a staple in cooking and beverages - At home if you fancy trying, crush a few dried berries into a pork/venison/duck marinade or sauce. You can also add them to braised red cabbage before cooking — a proper classic pairing.
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