The Berry With Another Spirit

Air Date: Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Guest: Dr. Molly E. Cummings

Description: We have a twist on the coffee berry today, we’re sharing stories about a berry with another spirit! Dr. Molly E. Cummings, a biology professor at the University of Texas, is sharing inspiring stories about foraging for Juniper berries to make the perfect gin at District Distilling Company in Washington D.C. We can’t wait to hear about WildJuneGin made from wild red juniper berries harvested in western Texas by Molly who is also co-owner at District-Distilling Company. Most gins are distilled with Common Juniper, the shrub that produces little blue berries, but District-Distilling wanted to make a uniquely American gin with a greater diversity of “palatable” juniper species such as Alligator Juniper also known as Checkerbark Juniper. We’ll also share favorite stories about coffee with Molly and what it’s like to be a biology professor running The Cummings Lab focused on sensory ecology, evolution and behavior.