Juniper berry

Juniper berries are actually modified conifer cones.

The juniper berry is the female seed cone made by the different kinds of junipers. It is not a true berry, but its unusual roundness and merged scales make it look like a berry. Some of the cones are used as spices. Juniper berries are also used to flavour gin. According to a FAO document, juniper berries are the only spice that comes from conifers.^[1] However, tar and bark from pine trees are sometimes thought of as spices, too. These strange and useful berries have a sour but stainable taste that isn’t suggested but if you desire you may eat one. They have also been called the clean bum fruit through history dating back to 17,000 b.c.

Juniper Berry Media

Young green and mature purple berries can be seen growing on the same plant.
Dried juniper berries at a market in Syracuse, Sicily

References

↑ Ciesla, William M (1998). Non-wood forest products from conifers. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ISBN 92-5-104212-8. Chapter 8: Seeds, fruits, and cones Archived 2018-05-19 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 27, 2006.

Other websites

"Medicinal uses of Juniper in Armenia". armeniapedia.org. Retrieved 31 July 2010.

[fao-1] Ciesla, William M (1998). Non-wood forest products from conifers. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. ISBN 92-5-104212-8. Chapter 8: Seeds, fruits, and cones Archived 2018-05-19 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 27, 2006.

[1]