You can find juniper berries in the spice section of specialty food markets.
Sort through the beans, rinse them well, cover them with cold water, and set them aside for six hours or overnight. (Or use the quick-soaking method.)
Bruise the seeds and berries in a mortar, and chop the onion into small squares.
Warm the oil in a wide-bottomed soup pot; add the onions, coriander seeds, juniper berries, chile and oregano. Cook together over medium heat for 3 or 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Drain the beans and add them to the pot along with the fresh water. Bring to a boil; then lower the heat and simmer for 40 minutes. Add salt to taste and continue cooking until the beans are as tender as you like them ~ probably another 30 minutes or so.
When done, check the seasoning.
Serve the beans in a bowl with the broth.
Recipe Notes
There are lots of tasty additions you can use -cilantro, mint, scallions, sour cream, cheese and so on. But try the beans plain first.