Juniper is a plant of the cypress family, known as the western juniper, and grows wild in Japan in small quantities. It is native to Greece, where it produces juniper berries, which are slightly smaller than blueberries. Essential oils are extracted from these berries by steam distillation. The scent is herbal, cool and refreshing, with sharp woody notes reminiscent of conifers. Resinoids are also extracted by solvent extraction, which gives it a balsamic amber scent. It is used to flavor the alcoholic beverage gin.