Snodgrass Photography Blog

Common juniper (Juniperus communis) is part of the cedar family. There are two types of juniper, the common juniper and the cedar-like juniper (Juniperus spp.). Both species have edible berries and similar medicinal qualities.

Common Juniper as a Food Source

Common juniper is a tall shrub. It has bluish-purple to bluish-green berries. The berries appear in the first year as a greenish color. They become ripe and ready to eat in the second year after they have turned a bluish purple color. They are best picked late in the fall or early spring of their fourth year. The berries taste just like the plant smells. It is a hard flavor to define, but some call it a "pitchy flavor." Juniper is mostly used as a seasoning for other dishes. It is added to stews and soups. It makes a wonderful seasoning for wild game meat such as moose or venison. The berries can be roasted and ground up to make a coffee substitute. They are also used to make flavored alcoholic beverages.

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