Foraging For Juniper Berries!

Juniper Berries!The fruit of common juniper (Juniperus communis) is generally considered to be the most flavorful juniper berry, but J. virginiana (eastern red cedar) also produces tasty, edible berries. These are the two most common species in the U.S. Here are some quick tips about Juniper Berries!

1. Juniper Berries may be harvested any time of year, so they are a popular foraging target in the winter months.

2. Juniper berries take about 2 years to ripen. Green berries are unripe and quite bitter. Purple/Blue berries are ripe and milder.

3. Juniper Berries may be dried or used fresh. To dry berries, simply use a dehydrator and store them.

4. What can you use Juniper Berries for? TONS OF STUFF!

1. Crush and soak in vodka to produce your own form of gin!

2. Dried berries are great on meats…especially pork and wild game. Use in a rub with ginger or garlic!

3. Believe it or not…they make a great cookie icing! https://backyardforager.com/juniper-berry-icing-recipe/

4. Make Smreka! Smreka is a fermented drink made with Juniper Berries! It’s surprisingly simple!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE SMREKA

1/2 cup juniper fruit

2 cups non-chlorinated water

Combine the juniper fruit and water in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Cover the jar, shake it, and put it somewhere out of direct sun, where you can keep an eye on it. Shake it once a day. As the smreka ferments, the water turns yellow, and most of the fruit sinks to the bottom of the jar.After 30 days, strain off the fruit and pour the liquid through a coffee filter to remove any small particles. Because there is very little sugar in juniper fruit, and because yeast feeds on sugar, this will be a lightly fermented beverage. And while technically speaking there must be some alcohol in there (because… fermentation) it is pretty much indiscernable.Refrigerate your smreka and taste it cold. You’ll probably want to add a little honey, but that’s up to you. Enjoy it plain, over ice, or substitute it for lime juice in a margarita!