Juniper is the female seed cone of Juniperus communis and closely related species of conifer. When ripe they are used to flavour meat dishes, whereas unripe green juniper is used to flavour gin. Julmust is a non-alcohol Swedish drink, traditionally consumed at Christmas, that is flavoured with juniper, hops and malt. Although it is commonly called juniper berry, it is not a true berry in the botanical sense, but a waxy cone of 3 fleshy merged scales surrounding 3 seeds. Juniper is the only widely used spice that comes from a conifer. J. communis has a circumpolar distribution across cooler temperate parts of North America, Europe and Asia, with an Ice Age relict population in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco.

Why not try using juniper in this delicious, festive braised red cabbage recipe?