I need some help

[elimsprint]

A question for the tree experts on here. Am I correct in assuming this is juniper and these are juniper berries? If so are these "ripe" or do I have to wait for later in the year? Also, are there any trees that grow in BC that have poisonous berries that look like these? I want to make some gin and I would like to do it with local juniper if I can.

[nelsonob1]

Looks like juniper. Does it smell like juniper?

Bit early to harvest those, especially if wild. Elevation will also impact timing. They will be blue when ripe. I believe they can be picked all year once the plantvis a few years old.

[HarryToolips]

I am not aware poisonous look alike and I have eaten them in small quantities with no ill effects, as they have historically been used in small quantities to aid digestion, but I have read that some contain high amounts of thujone which can make one very sick... I have never made gin however, and from the pics you provided those do look like juniper berries, which are not actual berries they are the cones of the female plant..

[Weatherby Fan]

Definitely Juniper and yes you can eat them but they are very strong and distinct in flavour, mostly used for making sauces for meat, like peppercorn sauce for example, you won’t need much for a sauce as again they are very strong

for years we used to put our hunting clothes in a bag with juniper branches and berries !

[Arctic Lake]

Good luck with your Gin making ! Man oh man I love a good gin and tonic . Use Fentmans Tonic .
Arctic Lake

[wildcatter]

I use Broker's London Gin for my gin and tonic.
Tried many others and this is what I like the most.
And yes, those are definitely juniper berries.

[Harvest the Land]

A question for the tree experts on here. Am I correct in assuming this is juniper and these are juniper berries? If so are these "ripe" or do I have to wait for later in the year? Also, are there any trees that grow in BC that have poisonous berries that look like these? I want to make some gin and I would like to do it with local juniper if I can.

Wait to pick the berries until they turn blue (are ripe) later in the year and give it a try and let us know how it works. Good luck

[elimsprint]

Thanks all, I figured it was juniper but I wanted to check as on the distillers site I use they said there were poisonous trees in the woods that looked the same as juniper. I have never heard of any but thought I would check with one of my main "brain trusts" and that is of course you guys. Arctic Lake, if you're up this way after I get some gin made you are more than welcome to come on up and give it a try. Have you tried Urban Distillers Gin? It's amazing but as I have a bunch of my high test sitting around I thought I would give making gin a try.

[Arctic Lake]

Thanks for the invite Elimsprint will do ! I have not tried that gin but have tried the smaller distiller Victoria Gin also a small distiller near Sooke B.C Sheringham Distillers and of course Bombay
Arctic Lake

Thanks all, I figured it was juniper but I wanted to check as on the distillers site I use they said there were poisonous trees in the woods that looked the same as juniper. I have never heard of any but thought I would check with one of my main "brain trusts" and that is of course you guys. Arctic Lake, if you're up this way after I get some gin made you are more than welcome to come on up and give it a try. Have you tried Urban Distillers Gin? It's amazing but as I have a bunch of my high test sitting around I thought I would give making gin a try.

[GEF]

Crush a few in the butter in the frying pan when you cook your grouse breast and finish the demi glaze with chardonnay and a little flour .Drizzle over the breasts and roasted baby potatoes.Heaven!Seriously Juniper berries and grouse were meant for eachother.