Where can I get Juniper berries?

I see alot of recipies that call for juniper berries. I have never seen them in the markets. Please help.

[junescook]

I get them in the loose spice section of our local health food store.

[howlin]

i pick mine right off the plant,go for the nice dark purple ones.

Why can't you just pick 'em off your trees? Is there a good reason not to use those?

[CatherinaLH]

Yes, definitely a good reason not to: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/20/gar...

[aguynamedbob]

I was curious about this and my Googling brought me to this thread. Thanks for the link!

I've had luck finding them in large, well-stocked grocery stores, even here in the midwest. Look for them in the spice section. They are in your standard, 3 or 4 oz. spice jar, like the kind caraway seeds, etc. come in. They are sometimes called "freeze dried" juniper berries, and I've found them acceptable for crushing, putting into an infusion ball, and adding to my saurkraut--but sometimes I think that perhaps a shot of gin would do just as well.

Penzey's Spices has an online catalog and you can have one mailed to you, also.

Link: http://www.penzeys.com/

I get almost all my spices through Penzey's these days, and I'm very pleased with them.

I bought mine at Zabar's.

I buy them at Citarella or Fairway. They're also available through various spice catalogs/websites - e.g., Penzeys and Adriana's Caravan.

Much more fun that Citarella, etc. is Kalustyan's. Everyone should make the pilgimage to Lexington between 28th and 29th. It's an amazing place and they sell juniper berries. Just GO! you'll love the store. It's uncrowded, everyone's nice and you'll be transported.

Hi Alison,

There is a shop in Chicago called Spice House, located at 1512 N. Wells Street, Chicago IL 60610. Phone is 312-274-0378. They also have a Web Site and ship their products.
I purchased some Juniper Berries there a few months ago along with some other unusual and hard to find herbs and spices. I was impressed with the quality and prices and also they are friendly folks who gave me tips on how to use some things that I had not encountered before.
I used my Juniper with venison and also with a pork dish.
Enjoy, Carolyn

[bushwickgirl]

+1 on The Spice House, www.thespicehouse.com 1 oz, $2.09, plus thye carry many other spices you probably will want.