Page 187 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

Juniper (Alligator), Juniperus

deppeana (CUPRESSACEAE)

ALLIGATOR JUNIPER is one of the largest juniper trees
in North America, growing up to 60 ft. (18m), though it
is typically much smaller. The tree gets its name from
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the unique pattern of its bark.
FLOWER AND FRUIT: Round berry-like cones are 0.5
inches (1.3cm) in diameter. Each cone contains 2-5
seeds and matures after 18 months.

LEAF: Fragrant, scale-like foliage has a deep blue-green
hue. The minute leaves are 0.04-0.2 inches (0.1-0.5cm)
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long and 0.04-0.6 inches (0.1-1.5cm) wide, huddling
tightly to the twig. FERMENTED JUNIPER BERRY JUICE (SMREKA):
EDIBLE PARTS: fruit Ingredients: ½ lemon, 1 cup dry juniper berries, 4
cups water. Wash lemon and quarter it with the skin
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Berries can be picked
on. Place in a 2-pint jar along with juniper berries.
once they ripen to a purplish or reddish-brown color.
Fill to top with water and close the lid loosely. Let
This process takes 2 years, with berries reaching matu-
sit in the shade for 10-15 days. Strain the juice and
rity from September to December of the second season.
sweeten to your liking.
Juniper berries are known for their bitter, peppery flavor
WARNING: Consume juniper berries only in small
and their dry, gritty texture. While edible raw, they are
more appealing as a spice. Famously, these berries are amounts. Pregnant women and people with kidney
used to flavor gin. Used sparingly, they can enliven con- disease should not ingest. Juniper extract can be poi-
serves, marinades, and sauerkraut. Dried and ground sonous, avoid.
berries make an exquisite seasoning for game dishes. POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: J. sabina, J. oxycedrus

Juniper (Utah), Juniperus
osteosperma (CUPRESSACEAE)

UTAH JUNIPER grows 15-30 ft. (4-9m) tall; its ascend-
ing branches form a bushy, rounded crown. The tree’s
ash-grey bark exfoliates in thin vertical strips. Of the 13
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North American juniper species, Utah Juniper is among
the few that are edible. Other edible western species are
California Juniper, J. californica, Alligator Juniper, J. dep-
peana, and Common Juniper, J. communis.
FLOWER AND FRUIT: Fibrous, berry-like seed cones
are bluish-brown with a waxy-grey bloom. Round and
0.2-0.35 inches (0.5-0.9cm) across, they typically bear 1 Jim Morefield, CC BY-SA 2.0 James St. John, CC BY 2.0
seed, though sometimes 2. Berries ripen over 1-2 years.
JUNIPER-NUT SKILLET BISCUITS: Ingredients: 2
LEAF: Light yellow-green leaves are minute, scale-like,
tsp. dried juniper berries (roasted, ground), 8 oz.
and oppositely arranged on erect branchlets. They mea-
(226g) animal fat, 7 oz. (198g) sugar, ½ tsp. salt, 7
sure 0.04-0.07 inches (0.1-0.2cm) long.
oz. chestnut flour, 2.6 oz. (74g) cocoa powder, 6 oz.
EDIBLE PARTS: fruit (170g) hazelnuts (toasted, ground). Combine dry
KEY MEDICINAL USES: Twigs and fruits are analgesic ingredients. Pour in animal fat, mixing well. Make
and diuretic. dough into flattened cookies and place on a greased
skillet. Create an aluminum foil tent over the skillet.
HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Berries are sweet and
Cook over fire for 7-10 min.
resinous with a sage-like flavor. They are best used as a
seasoning for game, or as a survival food. You can also POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: J. sabina, J. oxycedrus
roast the dried fruits as a coffee substitute.
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