Juniper berries?

[gatorfoodie]

Does anyone know where I can find juniper berries in the DC area?

[ChristinaMason]

Cost Plus World Market (Friendship Heights, for one) carries them in sachets.

[HonnyBrown]

Penzeys. When you go to the store, pick up their catalog. It's a great spice resource.

I'm surprised that you are using it for pork. Juniper berried are used for taming the gaminess of wild meat.

www.Penzeys.com

[huesmann]

Making sloe gin? ;)

[MartinDC]

I was doing a choucroute garnie, which called for juniper berries. I discovered mine were old and had no flavor. So I poured a little Beefeater gin into the sauerkraut. Worked great!

[EverydayCook]

I found them in Balducci's in Bethesda. Pretty sure that other Balducci's would carry them since they are the store-brand.

[MakingSense]

Check Yes! Organic Market. Small local chain with stores in Capitol Hill, Cleveland Park, Columbia Heights, Adams Morgan...
They sell bulk spices so you don't have to buy an entire jar but regular groceries should stock juniper berries as well.
http://www.livingnaturally.com/retail...

[duck833]

Every time I am in Eastern Oregon I just pick a bunch of them around Bend.

Oregon made Gin uses local Juniper berries in their booze.

[potrzebie]

You can find juniper berries in yards as well as public parks all over the DC area. Fresh ones you pluck are much softer than dried ones, and are easier to crush to expose the flavor.

[gatorfoodie]

is there a particular species of juniper that I should look out for? are the berries essentially all the same? Is there a season for them?

[potrzebie]

I think any juniper species will do. Just pluck a berry and cut into it with your fingernail and put it near your nose. You'll immediately know from the fragrance if you've got something good. Late summer and fall are probably the best time, but I believe you can pick them any time of the year.

[meimei]

If you are near Sterling/Dulles Area, I've seen it in Wegmans as well. The spice shelf right by the organic section.

[Gonzocook]

The Penzey's catalog has them. I assume their Falls Church and Rockville stores would as well.

Making your own gin?

[gatorfoodie]

no actually when it cools off, I want to make a braised pork shoulder. The braising liquid calls for dark beer and juniper berries with thyme, onions, carrots, etc...(Mark Bittman Recipe)...I'll check out Penzeys.