Juniper

Juniper (Juniperus communis) The juniper trees are native to the Mediterranean, Russia, and North America, and the juniper berries take three years to mature. Initially hard and pale green, juniper berries ripen to blue-black, become fleshy and contain three sticky, hard, brown seeds.When dried, the berries remain soft but if broken open one will find the pith surrounding the seeds is easily crumbled. Both the flavour and aroma are a combination of gin and turpentine, pine-like, and spicy.