Growing and harvesting elderberries
Elderberries are a perennial crop, meaning they go dormant in the winter and come back every spring. We've found them exceptionally easy to grow! We may have to fight critters for the berries, but every bush produces enough fruit to make up for the loss.
The arduous part, however, is harvesting them. After cutting off the bunches of berries, they need to be hand-picked off of the stem and gone through for quality control.
Why should I add elderberries to my diet?
Elderberries are well known as a "superfruit". They are a great source of vitamins, especially vitamin C and fiber, making them a helpful addition to a balanced diet. They're rich in antioxidants, which can support the body's immune response and help protect against oxidative stress. Some have even found elderberry syrup or supplements to be useful during cold and flu season!
Proceed with caution
Raw elderberries contain a toxic compound that can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, so be sure to properly cook your elderberries, whether fresh or dehydrated. Those who are pregnant or lactating should avoid elderberries, as there hasn't been adequate research on the impact of elderberry consumption in these populations. Check with a healthcare provider before adding elderberry products to your routine!
How to eat them
Here are a few simple and tasty ways to add elderberries to your day!
Elderberry Tea
Steep a tablespoon of dried elderberries and a cinnamon stick in hot water for 10-15 minutes. Strain, then sweeten with honey if desired.
Elderberry Syrup
Simmer the dried berries with water, a bit of honey, and cinnamon to make a homemade syrup that can be used as a sweetener or taken by the spoonful.
Baked Goods
Mix the elderberries into the batter for muffins, breads, or cookies for an extra layer of flavor and texture.
Homemade Jam
Rehydrate the elderberries, then cook them down with sugar and lemon juice to make a delicious elderberry jam or spread. PLEASE NOTE: The pH of elderberries is too low to safely can. There are few to no tested recipes using elderberries. Any jams made with elderberries should be stored in the fridge.
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