7 Ways to Use All Those Elderberries You’ve Grown

Elderberry shrubs (Sambucus nigra subsp. Canadensis) are native to the United States. They grow up to 12 feet tall and can readily spread out as wide. They grow throughout most USDA Plant Hardiness Zones (3-10) in the Continental US, preferring mildly acidic soil and at least partial sun.

The elderberry fruit is generally ready to pick by late summer when the clusters of them turn dark. The berries are only around ¼” in diameter, but a mature tree can produce 10-15 pounds a year. Elderberry plants, including the raw fruit, are toxic, but if the problematic compounds are cooked, the issue is neutralized, as with potatoes, kidney beans, and mushrooms.

For those with a wet spot in the yard, be it a ditch bank or a low area, elderberry shrubs are a great choice for growing something edible. These plants thrive in moist soil, and they put out berries very quickly. But elderberries aren’t something just everyone has handled. We have to learn what to do with them.

1. Tea

Source: Simply Beyond Herbs/Youtube

Elderberries are recognized as a great immunity booster, and they have an amazing flavor. To include elderberries in homemade tea blends, dehydrate the berries to use as is or to ground into powder. The tart berries give the tea a pleasing purple color, and they combine nicely with cinnamon, ginger, and echinacea.

2. Syrup

Elderberry syrup is very popular in Europe (made with European elderberries, aka Sambucus nigra), but the American elderberry can make the same syrup. It’s just a matter of simmering fresh elderberries (1 cup) in water (3 cups) with cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. Once the mixture has cooled, it can be strained, and sweetener added. This will store in the refrigerator for months and is lovely on pancakes, waffles, and so on.

3. Juice

Elderberry juice is also delicious, and it is very easy to make. It can be done with fresh or dried elderberries. Most juicers like to add lemon juice (or slices) and cloves to the mixture, which also has sugar. All of the ingredients go in at once, and the mixture simmers for around 20-30 minutes before being cooled and strained. Big batches can be canned for later use.

4. Wine

Possibly the most respected berry-based wine, elderberry wine is something that can be made at home as a (somewhat serious) hobby. Like grapes, they have an agreeable amount of tannins, sugar, and acid for wine-making. Unlike other fruit wines, elderberry wines are much better after aging for at least a year.

5. Jelly/Jam

Source: FabFood4All/Youtube

Jelly and jam made from elderberries is absolutely delicious. The jelly is a great way to stretch out a harvest, and the jam is fantastic for getting a deep, rich smear of elderberry flavor. A quick and easy jam can be made with an equal weight of fresh elderberries and sugar, adding the juice of one lemon for each pound of elderberries.

6. Medicine

Elderberries have been used for centuries in folk remedies, and it is well-regarded for treating colds, flu, and respiratory infections. Generally, it is taken as a syrup (the same as the recipe above). Similar to over-the-counter cold medicines, three to five tablespoons of syrup a day can be a good way to combat colds, but there is no officially recognized dosage.

7. Cooking

And, of course, elderberries can be a welcome addition to all of those recipes that call for raisins and/or berries. Dried elderberries can be delicious in cookies, fruitcakes, trail mixes, and oatmeal. The fresh berries can also be cooked or baked into breakfast favorites like pancakes and muffins.

However you choose to consume them, elderberries are a favorite treat for many home fruit growers, and they definitely are a fun way to add nutrition and medicinal benefits to classic recipes.

Related Content:

• How to Make Elderberry Infused Lattes
• 10 Vegan Elderberry Supplements to Support the Immune System
• 10 Elderberry Syrups, Elixirs, and Teas to Naturally Support Immunity
• Here’s How You Can Get the Health Benefits of Elderberry
• How to Make Your Own Syrup at Home

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