Urban Farm Hub

Sambucus Cerulea or Blue Elderberry

Elderberries can be planted in the garden soon. For consumption use the Blue or the Black Elderberries instead of the Red Elderberry.

Freshly picked Elder Flowers

These fragrant white to pink flowers can be gathered, steeped, then the liquid sugared to make a delicious syrup.  If you have the patience to wait, the dark blue berries can be gathered in the late summer to make into a dye, syrup or wine.

Here is a recipe for making a quart of syrup:

Ingredients:

• 30 elderflower heads
• 1 quart water
• 4 cups  sugar
• Juice of 2 lemons or limes
• zest of 2 lemons or limes
• 2 tablespoons citric acid

1. Zest the lemons or limes and put in a large bowl, then the citric acid and lemon or lime juice.
2. Remove the flowers from the stalk and add to the bowl

Flowers, citric acid, zest and lime juice

1. Bring the sugar and water to a boil, stirring occasionally to dissolve.
2. Pour the syrup into the bowl and stir to combine.

Flowers, acids and sugar syrup

1. Cover the bowl with a tea towel and let it sit for 2-4 days.
2. Strain the mixture through a sieve lined with cheesecloth into a clean jar. Store in the fridge for up to six weeks.

Here is what it looks like after steeping for a couple of days.

Here is the strained syrup.

This syrup has a very delicate flavor and scent.  It tastes good mixed with seltzer water or even better with some champagne or vodka.

Here’s more info on growing this useful plant!

A tiny Elder Flower

Caution: Leaves, stems and unripe berries can cause stomach upset. Just use the cooked berries and flowers for consumption.