Right now the elderberry bushes are flowering. Look for them in marshy, sunny places. There are a lot of plants out there that have white flowers, so make sure you identify the leaves and flowers correctly. Wildman Steve Brill is always a good place to start. Identify plants while they are flowering, even if you're not going to make elderflower cordial or elderflower liqueur. That way when the berries start to ripen you will already know where to look, and beat the birds. Or me!

 

I made elderflower liqueur last year, and it's not quite St. Germain. It's very woody and herbal. I think this year, I'll just wait for the berries.

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Tags: elderberry, elderflower

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Comment by Julia Sforza on June 20, 2011 at 7:26am
Hi R, I've never made pancakes or fritters. I'll have to try it. I make a syrup out of it as well, with honey, and I swear by it! Your technique is a little different. I like the addition of brandy!
Comment by R Flaum on June 17, 2011 at 1:37pm

Hi Julia,

     Have you made elderflower pancakes or fritters? It's a popular way to eat the flowers.

 I make elderberry elixir with the berries. It has remarkable antiviral properies, and tastes great. I gently warm the berries in brandy and honey, put it in a jar, and keep it in the dark. Since I rarely get sick, I end up giving away most of my herbal concoctions( I make several different ones), but I tasted the elderberry elixir and it was delicious, better than most liqueurs I've tried.

Comment by Julia Sforza on June 15, 2011 at 11:26am
Thanks, Jessica!
Comment by Jessica M Berardi on June 15, 2011 at 11:07am
great post! Thanks Julia!

 

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