Juniper

Juniper is a shrub that grows spontaneously in mountainous areas and along the coasts. The marine juniper has the shape of a sapling, while the mountain one grows in bushes. Its leaves are needle-like, green-blue in color and its fruits, when fully ripe, consist of fleshy, small, rounded berries, blue-black in color and covered with waxy substances. Juniper is used in liqueurs for the preparation of gin and in the kitchen to flavour marinades as well as dishes of game and birds; its taste also goes well with lamb. Juniper berries quickly lose their aroma so they must be used fresh, as a matter of fact to best exploit their scent, it is advisable to crush them before using them.