Elderflowers....how to use them?

kippers

I'm going to go and pick some Elderflowers in the next day or two to make Elderflower cordial. My question is...

when i've picked them do I have to remove every little flower to use them or do I leave the stalk on? I've read the stalks are poisenous?

Thanks for any replies

Evie74_2

Hi Kippers

I am making some elderflower cordial right now and I am just soaking the flower heads as they are - i.e. with the green stalks still attached. I haven't made it before so hopefully if I've done it wrong someone will tell me before I poison everyone!!

Evie

[Deleted User]

You'll be fine folks, I've been making elderflower cordial since Mr Noah was counting the animals in two by two and I've always used the full flower heads complete with stalks but not leaves and we have never had problems - edit that, if you have read my other posts you may have doubts. Seriously no problem in using the heads entire, we just enjoy the finished product!!!!!!!! Cheers LYN xxx.

rubytuesday

Elderflower fritters are quite nice too.

kippers

Thanks...i've just picked some so i'll give the cordial a try:j

Farway

Have a sniff of the flower heads. There are two varieties of elderflowers

One is good & floral, the other smell of cat pee

I think you can work out what one to use

Itismehonest

Elderflower champagne. :beer:

All you have to do if you want to de-stalk the flowers is run them through the tines of a fork. It doesn't get rid of all the stalks but it means the stalks take up a lot less volume.

Oh & it's best not to use anything that's from beside a busy road ..... but I guess you'd already know that

Farway

Itismehonest wrote: »

Elderflower champagne. :beer:
Oh & it's best not to use anything that's from beside a busy road ..... but I guess you'd already know that

A second for the champagne, it is lovely

"it's best not to use anything that's from beside a busy road" Or lower than a dog's hind leg

thriftychick

One jug of Elderflower heads makes 5 gallons of my OH's Elderflower wine which I think disolves stress on contact.

AbsCaveDave

Just made 33 litres of Elderflower wine, so easy that it's almost criminal! thats over 40 bottles for about 20 mins work! Recipe here
The only difference is I leave it to fully ferment and clear add it to wine bottles and store for a few months, it's flat but it makes a lovely table wine.