elderflower season

[Elder]

Elderflower is soon to be in season. What do people use them for? I have been making some great cordials and thinking of going commercial on them. You may be able to help if you like foraging for elderflowers. See my "wanted" advert.

Bill

 

[Nice65]

I’ve a few trees of them, but I don’t use either the flowers or berrries apart from appreciating the smell, and the silly pigeons munching on the berries. I’m not sure I have enough for you to process.

My Dad used to make the classic Elderflower cordial from them, it was almost too perfumed, but excellent with lemon juice and ice.

 

[Oweneagle]

I usually make a mint and elderflower tea blend, you just have to be careful to dry the flower heads on a tray or sheet to avoid losing the pollen etc. (where the flavour and medicinal benefits are).

 

[Janne]

You are lucky to be able to pick and enjoy Elder flowers.

I used to do crepes with mixed in flowers.

Just the standard batter, with added flowers. Very tasty!

 

[Biqh2015]

I make elderflower champagne with my elderflowers. Here is the recipe I use, it's adapted from somebody elses recipe, but I don't remember who:

Ingredients

• 800 g sugar
• Florets from 15 elderflower sprays, trim off as much stem as can be bothered.
  
• zest and juice of 4 lemons
• 0.5 tsp yeast nutrient
• 5 g sachet Champagne yeast / 7 g sachet bread yeast

Method

1. Dissolve sugar in 2 litres of hot water
2. Add to fermenting bin with 3 litres cold water
3. Leave to cool to room temperature
   
4. Add lemon zest, juice, elderflower florets, yeast nutrient, yeast
5. Mix well
6. Ferment for 6 days
7. Strain through fine muslin into fresh bin
8. Leave to settle for about 1 hour
9. Bottle in swing top bottles
   
10. Leave for 2 weeks before drinking, though more time is better.