Juniper Berries Delivery or Pickup

Juniper berries are the dried cones from a Juniper evergreen shrub. The shrubs grow in the temperate areas of the northern hemisphere and are commonly found in central Texas and the eastern part of Oregon. Although its name suggests it's a sweet fruit, the juniper berry actually has a strong flavor with notes of pine, and pairs well with garlic, caraway, pepper, and rosemary. 

The cone of the juniper is the berry. It is small and green when it first grows and turns a bluish-black in its second year. Juniper berries are different from other berries because they add flavor and aroma to a wide variety of dishes, both sweet and savory, where other berries are more commonly used just for dessert. Use Juniper berries to add flavor to:

One of the most common uses for juniper berries is to flavor gin. Gin is made by distilling grain alcohol with juniper berries, which is what gives it its signature flavor. You can also add some whole juniper berries to a gin and tonic for a nice garnish and a little extra flavor. If you are not a gin drinker, juniper berries will add a floral and piney flavor to many other cocktails. 

Make a delicious rub by grinding a tablespoon of pequin chilies and juniper berries along with a teaspoon of anise seeds into a powder. Mix with a tablespoon of kosher salt, a tablespoon of sugar, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of pepper, tarragon, dried garlic, and sage. Rub on your favorite protein or game meat before grilling. This rub works with chicken or beef, and it also pairs very well with lamb and is delicious with venison and pork. 

Find juniper berries using the Instacart app and add them to your groceries this week. Enjoy the convenience of having everything you need delivered right to your door!

You usually find juniper berries in your grocery store's spice aisle or in the dry good section. Juniper is available dried as a crushed spice, whole, and sometimes as a fresh berry. They are commonly categorized as a condiment or spice and often packaged in a jar or a sachet.

To use juniper berries, you can start by crushing them. Make sure you wait until just before you are ready to use the berries before doing this because it releases the essential oils, which enhances their flavor. Once crushed, just add the needed amount to your sauce or marinade. Instead of crushing the berries, if you don't want the intense flavor, start by toasting them. Just watch carefully so they don't burn. If the berries burn, it will increase their bitter flavor. 

The best way to crush juniper berries without making a mess is to put them in a zip lock bag and smash them using a hammer, bottle, or something heavy. Once flattened, pour the berries out onto a cutting board and use a knife to finish chopping them up. 

Once you've crushed and chopped the berries, toss them in a pot of chili or your next stew to add a deep, complex flavor to the dish. Toast up some more berries and add them as a garnish. 

You can also create a sauce for grilled meat by adding the berries along with slices of apples or prunes to bring out the citrus notes. Juniper berries also pair perfectly with sauteed red cabbage and sauerkraut as a side dish for your protein.