In English, the elderberry is called Elderberry . And just as the name suggests, the elderberry is our " elder ". A powerful plant, which we should cherish and respect.
"There is a wise old woman, the Elder Mother, who lives in the tree" .. "you must pay attention to her; listen to her, and look at that glorious elder tree!"
H.C. Andersen
In September it is time to carefully harvest the elderberries (Sambucus nigra) and make elderberry syrup. When should you pick the elderberries? The berries should be black and shiny. Not unripe - but not overripe either. As you probably know, there are grape elderberries that are poisonous. But it is easy to tell the difference between the berries. The berries of the grape elderberry are red.
If you don't have time to make the syrup now, freeze the berries! Other popular recipes are making elderberry capers, elderberry juice, or elderberry schnapps.
Many people wonder if it is possible to eat elderberries and if elderberries are poisonous? The berries should always be cooked before you take them. It is generally said that the berries have a small degree of toxicity in them. According to legendary herbalist Stephen Buhner, the worst that can happen is that you will feel sick from raw elderberries. However, always play it safe and cook the berries.
At Örtfabriken you will find elderberry in our tincture Happy Immunity . With the help of our partner in Latvia, we have developed this unique recipe with Elderberry, Åland Root and Propolis.
Here is our recipe for Elderberry Syrup:
2 dl fresh berries (or 1 part dried elderberries)
2 cups water
1 cinnamon stick
About 2 tablespoons sliced fresh ginger
0.5 dl honey
You can use dried and fresh elderberries. I rinse the elderberries and cut off most of the elderberry stems. Quick and easy. Then I put the elderberries and water, cinnamon stick and ginger in a saucepan. Bring to the boil and then simmer covered for 40 minutes. Let it steep for another hour or more. Strain the liquid. Stir in the honey into the liquid when it has reached room temperature.
Honey or sugar is a stabilizer, which means your elderberry syrup will last longer. Store the syrup in the refrigerator where it will last a month or more. The more sweetener, the longer the shelf life. If you want to increase the shelf life significantly, add 2 dl of alcohol. But one nice thing about elderberry syrup is that children love it, so there may be a point in ignoring the alcohol.
Tell me - do you think elderberries help during the cold and stuffy times of autumn and winter?
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3 comments
Hej!
Hur doseras hostsirapen, räcker det med några ml eller ska man dricka ett helt glas? Vad är en rimlig mängd till barn?
Mvh.
Matilda
Hej Lana! Jag skulle gissa att fermenteringen har svårare att ta fart utan bären i. Berätta hur det gick! Låter mycket gott med chili och nypon.
Hej!
Underbart att ni la ut ett recept, flädersirap är det bästa jag nånsindruckit :)
Jag följde detta recept och la till chili och nypon. Det blev super gott. Har dock en fråga – om jag väljer att ställa ut flaskan med sirapen i rumstemperatur, kommer den då att fermenteras? Jag jämför med lite andra recept som gjort liknande – men då behåller de oftast bären kvar i sirapen under fermenteringen, men undrar ifall det ändå går efter man silat?
Tänkte kolla om ni har synpunkter på det <3