Also: Juniper is also called Kranawitt, Jachelberry bush, Reckholder, Wachandel, Wachelduren

and called Machandel in the north German variant.

The name Wacholder is derived from the Middle High German Wechalter.

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Description:

The juniper, a cypress plant, grows as a shrub that can grow up to 3 m high, but also as a large columnar tree that can grow up to 10 m high. Its needles are about 1 cm long and very pointed. The juniper berries, which from a botanical point of view are actually cones, need a ripening period of two years.

The berry-like cones can then be used

The juniper is under nature protection in Germany, but you can pick the juniper berries when they are ripe.

Harvest time

The harvest time is from September to October.

Offer forms

Whole juniper berries are offered, dried.

ingredients

Juniper berries contain plenty of essential oils with monoterpenes as the main component, resins, bitter substances, tannins and sugar

Taste and smell

The juniper berries smell a bit resinous of fir trees, but taste bitterly spicy and slightly sweet.

Cooking and kitchen use:

You should mash the juniper berries lightly before use so that the aroma can develop better. They are added before cooking and removed before serving.

Soups / broth: game broth, game soups, hearty stews

Meat: Game, game pies and game poultry (pigeon, duck), beef, eg sauerbraten, poultry, mutton braised meat, smoked meat, sausage products

Fish: fish stock, fish marinades, smoked fish

Vegetables: sauerkraut, beetroot, turnips, red cabbage, pickled vegetables

Miscellaneous: Most of the domestic and imported harvest goes to the brandy industry: Gin, Genever, Steinhäger, other juniper brandies and liqueurs are distilled from them.

Use within dietetics

The Egyptians were already making mouthwashes from herbs and juniper 3,500 years ago. Juniper berries contain disinfecting substances and diuretic agents. In addition, juniper berries promote appetite, stimulate digestion and eliminate gas.