StillSmart

What is the best way to crush juniper berries.

I have tried a mortar and pestle, and the little blighters leap about all over the place.
Somebody suggested a rolling pin on a chopping board. I personally think will escalate the problem to a full on hailstorm of juniper berries all around the kitchen.

I don't really want to blitz them.

Found these hand grinders on eBay. Thought they might be good.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/63mm-2-5-4-La ... SwgQ9VudWM

What are you guys doing?

if you are finding it a real pain, just leave them whole, but use more.

I've got an extra large granite pestle and motar in the kitchen that handles all of our cularny needs, but I still loose a couple of the wee purple fellas when doing gin, they are slippery buggers

I also have a large granite mortar and pestle (from Thailand). I grind them with the coriander which seems to make things easier. Fresh, soft Juniper also makes this task much easier.

chill wrote:I also have a large granite mortar and pestle (from Thailand).

I also have a large granite mortar and pestle (from a charity shop).

Have I got a good as I can get?

Put them in a food bag then beat them with a rolling pin

I use a garlic press to crush them.

I use the pestle and mortar from our kitchen - little and gently seems to be the order of the day. I have more issues with over-excited coriander seeds jigging around than I do juniper!

Cheers

Hampk

I use a grain mill on its loosest setting.

Hmm. Some good ideas. I have a rotary grain mill too which might be worth a try. Thanks.

How about a cheap, second hand coffee grinder? Type with spinning blades like a blender? I keep one around to grind spices with.

What Chill said.

Haven't done juniper berries but I use a cheap coffee grinder bought from Sainsbury's for about £10 to grind dehydrated herbs and things. Works a treat.