Juniper Berries Whole

Despite the name, juniper berries aren’t actually berries at all; they’re the female seed cones of juniper trees. The cones look like berries due to their fleshy and merged scales.

This berry goes by many other names around the world, including: Common juniper, Gin berry, Horse savin, Gin plant, Bayas de Enebro, Genévrier, Ginepro, Wachholder, Jagody Jałowca, and Junípero.

Juniper berries are part of the Cupressaceae family and are widely distributed around the world, particularly Eastern Europe. The berry is 0.5 – 1cm in diameter, globular and starts off green, taking around 18 months to mature to a purple-black colour when ripe.

They contain volatile oils, a flavonoid called juniperin, tannins and diterpene acids, and have a characteristic piney odour and taste.

Found in the tomb of Tutankhamun, these ancient treasures have a rich history and are used for their distinct, sharp flavour. Perfect for adding a punch to your culinary and gin creations, juniper berries are a must-have in any commercial kitchen or distillery.

Order your wholesale juniper berries in bulk with Joseph Flach and Sons—a trusted supplier since 1882.

How do you use juniper berries?

Wholesale juniper berries have an abundance of applications across culinary, gin distillation, and cosmetic products.

• Seasoning in European and Scandinavian cuisine
  Their distinct bittersweet, pine flavour with a peppery aftertaste makes juniper berries a perfect seasoning for various recipes. They bring a bold, clear flavour to many dishes, particularly those in northern European and Scandinavian cuisine.
  They add a unique taste to meat dishes, marinades, and sauces, enhancing the flavour profile with their aromatic qualities. Recipes using juniper berries include roast venison, pork chops, and chicken curry. They even make a suitable substitute for black pepper.
• Gin distilling
  For centuries, juniper berries have been used to flavour gin and are considered an essential ingredient. The word “gin” itself comes from the French “genièvre” or the Dutch “jenever,” both meaning juniper. Due to the berry’s unique pine-like flavour and aroma, distillers use them to create a wide range of gin styles.
• Fragranced products
  Beyond culinary applications, wholesale juniper berries are also popular in the fragrance and wellness industry. They create refreshing scents in soaps, cosmetics, essential oils, and personal care products, adding a natural, woody aroma thought to reduce stress and tension.
• Jewellery
  Dried juniper berries are even used as beads in jewellery making and potpourri mixes.
• Traditional medicine
  Juniper berries are also believed to help ease digestive issues, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and kidney stones. In traditional medicine, juniper berries were thought to be useful for female birth control. The Greeks used juniper to increase stamina in athletes.

Benefits of Juniper Berries

• Antioxidant ‘superfood’
  The high nutrient and antioxidant content of the juniper berries has led health-conscious foodies to label this berry as a superfood.
• Thought to have anti-inflammatory properties
  The volatile oils contained within the berry are also believed to contain anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.
• Could support a healthy heart
  Studies done on rats showed that juniper berry extract reduced cholesterol levels, which helps to support a healthy cardiovascular system.

Natural products can cause side effects. As with any food product or herbal supplement, it is advisable to seek professional advice before newly incorporating into one’s routine or into a new product. This is especially true for individuals who are susceptible to allergies, have other dietary issues, weakened immune systems, or other health complications.

Important: Joseph Flach & Sons are not herbalists and are unable to offer advice on and are unable to attest to the efficacy or suitability of a material for use in a herbal remedy or as a product ingredient.