What To Do With Juniper Berries Besides Making Gin

Asides from the obvious use of juniper berries, which is to craft and garnish gin, there are plenty of other uses. If you’ve got leftover dried berries or are thinking of buying in bulk and you’re wondering what to do with them, here are a few creative ideas.

The word ‘gin’ derives from ‘jenever,’ the Dutch word for juniper, and has been around since 1550.

Dried juniper berry uses

Sweet & Savoury Cuisine

known for their fragrant flavour in gin, juniper berries also make ideal spices in European cuisine. It’s ideal for flavouring casseroles, marinades and stuffings for meat-based dishes, such as rabbit or pork, duck, lamb, beef and venison. It also works equally well in vegan and vegetarian recipes as a marinade for tofu and vegetables. In their dried form, they can be crushed into a powder to add a rich depth to your spice mix.

Whether you want to use it as a rub for your meat or to infuse with your jam and baked goods, there are plenty of options when it comes to this small, but punchy purple berry.

If you run a restaurant, consider using your regular juniper berry gin garnish to spice up your cuisine. Being able to use this berry in sweet and savoury dishes certainly makes it a versatile ingredient to have in your professional kitchen.

With such a strong flavour, a little can go a long way.

Potential nutraceutical

If you’re in the health foods business, you may be intrigued to know that Juniper is being researched as a potential nutraceutical in human and veterinary medicine. The berry is already known to be rich in minerals and vitamins that promote healthy bodily functions. That’s why it is called a superfood.

They have traditionally been used to treat a range of gastrointestinal and autoimmune disorders and are believed to have anti-inflammatory properties.

Shop dried juniper berries online at Mimea today. We’re a leading dried botanicals supplier based in the UK and offer free delivery nationwide.