ELDERBERRIES

Elderberry, or Sambucus nigra, is a deciduous bush or small tree in the Adoxaceae family. It can reach up to 6 m in height.  The plant can be found in temperate and subtropical areas of the Northern Hemisphere. The pinnate leaves grow in opposite pairs and are about 10-30 cm long. They consist of about 5-7 serrated leaflets (5-12 cm long and 3-5 cm wide). The ivory white flowers are hermaphrodite and grow in big flat corymbs (about 10-25 cm in diameter). The individual flowers have five petals and five stamens and are approximately 5-6 mm across. The fruit is a fragrant berry of dark purple or black color. The glossy berries are arranged in pendulous clusters. They are eatable only after cooking. The latin name ‘nigra’ refers to the black color of the berries. The useful properties of elderberry have been known since ancient times.

Parts used: berries and sometimes flowers.

Key components of elderberries

• Vitamins A, C and P
• Carotene
• Sugars (glucose and fructose)
• Organic acids
• Semi-solid essential oil
• Choline
• Tannins
• Malic acid
• Minerals (manganese, iron, calcium, zinc, selenium)
• Dietary fiber

Elderberry Interesting Facts

• Elderberry is a perennial plant that can  live as long as 80-100 years.

• The berries can be used to make jam, jelly, pies, wine, gin, and brandy.
• According to some myths, the elderberry plant has the ability to keep away the evil and protect against witches, while other legends say that witches prefer to gather under the trees, especially when they are full of fruit.
• When crushed, the elderberry leaves have a very unpleasant odor. In the old days, people used to attach them to the horse's mane in order to keep off flies while riding.

Elderberry Syrup

What you need:

• 3 cups of water
• 3/4 cup of dried elderberries
• 1 tbsp of fresh ginger
• 1 tsp of dried cinnamon
• 1 tsp of dried cloves
• 1 cup of raw honey

Mix the elderberries, water, ginger, cloves and cinnamon in a large saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer it for about 40-45 minutes (the liquid should reduce by half). After that cool the mixture and strain it, try to press all the fluid out of the elderberries. Add the raw honey to the liquid and give it a good stir. The syrup is ready! Put it in an airtight glass jar and store in the fridge for no longer than two months.