What to do with elderberries?

Trinny

Hi There

We made Hugh Fearnley's elderberry cordial - recipe should still be available on Channel 4 website - or by googling. Cordial is good to drink for at least 6 months - you add cloves to it to stop it moulding.

I am making jam and we are doing homebrew elderberry wine this year. I think they can also be used in fruit pies - as long as other fruits are added.

HTH

Trin

pinkparrott

Hi all , i was just wondering can i do anything with elderberries? I presumed they are edible as i know you can make stuff / drinks with the flowers but what about the berries,
has anyone got any recepies please.

charliee_3

you can make elderberry wine, but i have never heard of anything else... they are very bitter, have you tasted them?

charliee_3

i just looked it up.. elderberry juice is very good for you.. good for colds and headaches, but you have to be careful as unripe fruit and branches, etc contain poison..

tanith

There are a few recipes HERE !!!

Mojisola

You can combine them with other fruit but they are very high in tannins which makes them bitter.

I use them to make wine and a very good, double-fermented port.

sandraroffey

i made wonderful elderberry jam. the berries i cooked in a little water, shoved them all through a sieve. all the bits got left behind then.

added some sugar and and some certo, hey presto, brilliant jam.

frivolous_fay

I was told not to eat them raw as a child. (although a few never killed me)
Elderberry wine, mmm....

Penelope_Penguin

As this has fallen from the front page of OS, I'll add it to the exisitng elderberry thread

Penny. x

badgercat_2

I've just written an ebook on Elder, as it's so much more versatile than just the usual cordial and wine - it can be used for everything from drinks, edible delights, cosmetics and medicinal. The leaves can also be used as a garden pesticide!