Chipotle is well-known for so many of its tasty takes on Mexican classics but has a fervent following for one dish in particular and that's the carnitas. You can order this flavor-bursting pulled pork as a taco, burrito, or bowl, but even if you're among the most frequent diners, you may not be able to guess at one secret ingredient. The berry you'll find in the restaurant's carnitas isn't a blackberry, blueberry, or even one of the kinds we rarely consider to be berries like kiwi, eggplant, and avocado.
Instead, many in the culinary world refer to this element as an aromatic, spice, or botanical and that's the juniper berry. This small but mighty ingredient is more notable for its contribution to the beverage world, as a foundational flavor in many gins, so its appearance on the list of inclusions in Chipotle's carnitas had us asking questions. For example, what does it add to the dish? And do other Mexican classics feature this flavor? Understanding juniper's carnitas contribution Juniper berries are distinctive in their taste, which can be described as woody or piney, fruity or peppery, with hints of citrus.
While these small cones (not technically berries at all) are powerful and have the potential to be a bit overwhelming, they're ideal for hearty dishes like venison, lamb, and chili. Chipotle explains on its website that juniper has a "distinct, pungent aroma that stands up to rich, meaty dishes," making it easy to see how these qualities fit well with the classic, robu.