Juniper Berries

Description

Some wikipedia info: (doesn't mention it role in gin though!) A juniper berry is the female seed cone produced by the various species of junipers. It is not a true berry but a cone with unusually fleshy and merged scales, which give it a berry-like appearance. The cones from a handful of species, especially Juniperus communis, are used as a spice, particularly in European cuisine, and also give gin its distinctive flavour. According to one FAO document, juniper berries are the only spice derived from conifers,[1] although tar and inner bark (used as a sweetener in Apache cuisines) from pine trees is sometimes considered a spice as well.