Juniperus - evergreen coniferous shrub, many parts of which are used as a spice.Homeland plants considered Europe.It has old origins.In ancient Greece and Rome, it was considered the best remedy against snakes.There is first used in a plant as a medicament.
Juniper spread very quickly throughout the Northern Hemisphere, with the exception of the Far North.He was known North American Indian tribes: TB patients are placed in a place of growth of the plant to a complete cure.
learned early in Russia as a medicinal juniper, heals and spice plant.It spread to the European part of Russia, Western and Eastern Siberia, the Trans-Baikal region, Yakutia.Favorite habitats - pine forest, mixed forests, forest edges and river banks, hills, slopes.In some Western European countries, as well as in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, is among the protected plants.
Description
Juniper - an extraordinary tree-shrub with evergreen leaves, pine needles.It belongs to the cypress family.It reaches a height of 12-14 meters.It has short leaves of spiny needles, quite hard, with a green tint.Needles connected for 3 pieces.It is a dioecious plant.Male plants flower catkins elongate and women throw-balls round berries, which ripen in the next year in the fall, in September or October;of green they turn blue-black and even brown;increases to the size of a pea.Each fruit contains three seeds inside.
Application
Juniper used as a spice, has a unique flavor.A distinctive feature of this spice is a pungent taste, so Juniper - constant seasoning to venison.
As a spice used juniper berries.Ripe black fruit give it a sweet, tart flavor first game (bear meat, wild boar, venison), as well as poultry.Juniper berries are combined with other spices (onions, garlic, mint, celery, marjoram), so often used to prepare the marinade, rested in which wild game meat is softer, juicier and becomes light and fresh taste.The most common juniper spice hunters believe.
in home cooking experienced housewives successfully use juniper berries to soak the meat of domestic animals, why it is as it acquires the taste of venison because of the thin needles of the spirit, as well as for the preparation of fish marinades.Previously, booze and cabbage with juniper berries, from which its taste and aroma were much better.
using juniper berries, it must be remembered that the rate of consumption is very small, 5-6 berries per 1 kg of meat in large quantities, they are dangerous.In no event shall ordinary juniper berries should not be confused with poisonous Cossack juniper berries, which are different colors (black and blue), and the presence of two seeds inside the fruit;In addition, the leaves of a juniper Cossack no needle and flat pressed.
At home, juniper berries used in the manufacture of kvass, beer, fruit drinks, jelly, various soft drinks, salty and when pickling products.
from mature dry fruits cooked juniper sugar.The berries are also used in the production of sweet syrup, marmalade, cakes and gingerbread.Preparation of syrup - a delicate matter: the berries need to knead a wooden pestle and gently so as not to crush the bitter seeds.
Dried juniper berries industry produces a coffee substitute.They are used for the production of juniper vodka, gin, a variety of drinks.
Needles and juniper berries are used for smoking meat of domestic animals and fish.This improves their taste, prolongs the shelf life of the product.
on materials: ukrspice.kiev.ua
