The elegant elderflower – if you’ve been noticing large, creamy blossoms on forest edges, then you’re probably seeing the flower of the elder. In this post, we are sharing an assortment of elderflower recipes to try yourself. Like us, we hope you find the flower an alluring early-summer resource!
It seems appropriatethat the elder is under the sign of Venus. When you begin working with itsaromatic blooms, it’s easy to understand why the elder means purification and love in the language of flowers. In fact, when standing amid an elder in full bloom, one almost feels the presence of the goddess Venus herself.
Fittingly, the delicateflower helps women remain beautiful; it has been used since ancient Egyptian times for reducingwrinkles and age spots. It also inspired the poet Seamus Heaney when he wrote his Glanmore Sonnets:
He lived there in the unsayable light.
He saw the fuchsia in a drizzling noon,
The elderflowers at dusk like a risen moon
And green fields greying on the windswept heights.
Shamans and medicine people worldwide believed elder was a supportive plant and commonly used it for upper respiratory ailments and topically for skin problems. Traditionally, our herbalist elders, such as Hippocrates, Dioscorides, and Pliney the Elder recognized its strength as a diuretic, diaphoretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and more. Recent research from Israel and the United Kingdom has confirmed some of these claims.
Elder has long been a human ally – read more about this herb here. And below, you will find an assortment of elderflower recipes and uses to try yourself. Like me, I hope you find the flower an alluring early-summer resource!
When I was in England a few years ago, I ran across a non-alcoholic drink known as “Elder Flower Cordial,” and I fell in love. When I came home, I experimented until I came up with this recipe:
Elderflower Cordial
Ingredients
Thirty ounces of water
Four to five elderberry umbels, with most of the stems removed
Directions
- Bring the water to a boil and remove from heat.
- Add the elderberry umbels to the water, cover, and let stand for several hours.
- Strain the flowers and measure the water before returning it to a clean pot.
- Add the same amount of sugar as you have liquid and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes.
- Remove from heat.
- Chill.
- Add the syrup mixture to sparkling water to taste.
I fill jars 2/3 full of this syrup and freeze it for winter use. I’ve used it on pancakes and in cake mixes. It makes a wonderful punch, too.
Elderflower Fritters
Making fritters is one of my favorite ways to enjoy elderflowers. All you need is fresh elder flowers and pre-made pancake mix. A variety of recipes can be found in old cookbooks, or use the one in this post:
http://theherbalacademy.com/2015/06/the-joy-of-harvesting-and-using-elder-flowers/
Elderflower Vinegar
Ingredients
Vinegar (apple cider, white wine, or champagne all make excellent choices)
Elder flowers
Directions
- Fill a jar with fresh elder flowers.
- Cover with vinegar.
- Let sit for at least a month, strain, and pour the infused vinegar into a sterilized bottle.
When I make an elderberry oxymel, I use elder-infused vinegar. You can do the same thing with elixirs and elder flower honey.
Elder Flower Evening Beverage
Ingredients
5 fresh elder flowers
A few springs of lemon balm
Peels from one lemon
Vodka
Sugar
Directions
- Remove elder stems and put the flowers in a glass jar, along with the lemon balm and lemon peel.
- Add enough vodka to cover and let sit for at least two weeks.
- Strain flowers from vodka.
- Add a sugar syrup (to taste) and let sit at least two more weeks.
- Serve this delicious beverage over ice.
Elderflower for Allergy Support
Allergies are troublesome for many of us, especially during this time of year. Check out these six plants that may offer support, with instructions on how to use them:
http://theherbalacademy.com/2015/05/allergy-home-remedies-for-families/
Formula for Hot & Moist Cold/Flu
This cold and fever tea formula, made with five common plant allies, is one to make this summer. That way, you’ll be ready for cold and flu season when it arrives.Find instructions here:
http://theherbalacademy.com/2014/07/yarrow-as-a-natural-remedy-for-fever-and-flu/
Elderflower Wine
You may have heard of elderberry wine, but there many ways to make wines using ingredients you probably have growing right in your own backyard.Check out these seven plants and let the winemaking begin!
http://theherbalacademy.com/2015/04/turn-these-7-herbs-and-flowers-into-country-wine/
Elderflower Tea – Always a Wise Choice
If you’ve never collected elder flowers or made an elderflower tea, you’re in for a treat. Learn how to harvest elderflowers and transform them into a lovely beverage!
http://www.thedancingherbalist.com/#!Edlerflower/chwf/5506f4950cf2458597d0705a
Three-Flower Vinegar
This vinegar is wonderful for the skin! This recipe calls for lavender buds, rose petals, and elderflowers. Learn how to make this skin-soothing vinegar here:
http://www.indieherbalist.com/blog/three-flower-vinegar-first-aid-for-skin
Elderflower Sorbet
This tasty sorbet is made with gooseberries, honey, and elderflowers. In addition to the sorbet recipe, you’ll find four more ideas for using elderflowers to make elderflower vinegar, champagne, infused almond milk, and elderflower pancakes. Get all the recipes in this post.
http://www.wildplantforager.com/blog/5-delicious-elder-flower-recipes-other-than-just-syrup
FAQs
They can be used to flavour cooked fruit and jam and make a sound match with gooseberries, which are in season at the same time as elderflowers. The flower heads can be combined with citric acid to make cordial, which in turn makes a useful ingredient for adding to sauces and jellies.
Who should not take elderflower? ›
Stay on the safe side and avoid use. Diabetes: There is a concern that elderflower might lower blood sugar levels. If taken with diabetes medications, it might make blood sugar levels go too low. If you have diabetes and use elderflower, be sure to monitor your blood sugar levels carefully.
What does elderflower pair with? ›
Elderflower tends to mix better with light-coloured fruits such as pear, apple and white grapes. Strong berry flavours such as raspberry, blackberry and blackcurrant can overwhelm elderflower liqueurs with only its honeyed sweetness contributing to such drinks, its floral flavours smothered by these dark fruits.
What does elderflower do to the body? ›
An extract of the flower is used to make medicine. Elderflower is used for swollen sinuses (sinusitis), colds, influenza (flu), swine flu, bronchitis, diabetes, and constipation. It is also used to increase urine production (as a diuretic), to increase sweating (as a diaphoretic), and to stop bleeding.
What are the magical uses of elderflower? ›
It has been used for amulets, yet was prohibited for cradles, burning, and boatmaking, and said to bring bad luck to bring the flowers indoors (like hawthorn), yet green elder branches were buried in a grave to protect from evil spirits. Like many other materials with ritual power, it had to be carefully handled.
What is elderflower used for in cooking? ›
Elderflower is delicious mixed into cakes, tarts, trifles and jams. It pairs particularly well with tart fruits such as rhubarb and gooseberries. From casual nibbles to celebratory showstoppers, we have a whole host of fantastic floral recipes.
What not to mix with elderberry? ›
Because elderberry may stimulate the immune system, it could interfere with medications taken to suppress the immune system. These medications include corticosteroids (prednisone) and medications used to treat autoimmune diseases. People with organ transplants should also avoid elderberry.
Is elderflower good for the gut? ›
It's often used medicinally. Though research is limited, elderflower might help treat constipation, reduce cold and flu symptoms, treat gingivitis, and even control blood sugar.
Is elderflower good for anxiety? ›
As elderflowers taste so good and has so many benefits it's easy to ignore how the tea makes you feel. Elderflower is often used in situations to calm or relax. Elderflowers have relaxing nervine properties, which support the nervous system through stressful periods.
Is elderflower a laxative? ›
The most common uses are for colds and flu, sinus infections, and other respiratory disturbances. As a supplement, elderflower also has diuretic and laxative properties and is helpful in relieving occasional constipation.
American elder flowers or cooked, ripe fruit are safe for most adults in the amounts found in foods. There is some scientific evidence that suggests the flowers are safe in medicinal amounts, which are typically larger. Some side effects might include nausea, vomiting, weakness, dizziness, numbness, and stupor.
Is there a difference between elderflower and elderberry? ›
Elderflower has a woodsy and floral taste, and their sweetness comes out when elderflower is cooked. Photo courtesy of Shadi via Unsplash. Compared to elderflower, elderberry has a more intense taste: woodsy and floral, with a dark flavor that can be bitter and earthy when the fruit is consumed raw.
Can you eat elderflower raw? ›
In general, it is not advised to eat elderflowers or elderberries raw. Some people get a stomach upset and there is a mild toxicity. That is why traditionally, elderflowers are infused not eaten and elderberries are cooked (to make syrup, wine or pontack sauce).
Is elderflower good for hair? ›
Elderflower contains natural emollients that condition and soften hair, reducing frizz and adding shine to dull hair.
Does elderflower help you sleep? ›
Not only can Elderflower be used in acute and first aid situations as discussed above, but elderflower also has a gently relaxant effect which may be applied for those experiencing nightmares and disturbed sleep, useful for both adults and children.
Can you eat raw elderflowers? ›
How to use elderflowers. The flowers and berries are the only edible part of the plant. They are mildly toxic and have an unpleasant taste when raw. Cooking destroys the toxic chemicals.
How do you harvest and use elderflower? ›
Harvesting elderflowers
On a cool sunny morning, cut the elderflower clusters off, when the dew on the freshly opened individual flowers has dried off, and place them loosely in a basket. Use the harvested elderflowers as soon as possible, otherwise they will wither.
What does elderflower taste like? ›
By itself, the elderflower flavor profile is described as a uniquely fresh, fruity, green and slightly floral with subtle pear, lychee and tropical nuances. Such a profile that blends the different (unique floral) with the familiar (pear) and interesting (lychee) is often the foundation for broader appeal.
What is the difference between elderflower and elderberry? ›
Elderflower has a woodsy and floral taste, and their sweetness comes out when elderflower is cooked. Photo courtesy of Shadi via Unsplash. Compared to elderflower, elderberry has a more intense taste: woodsy and floral, with a dark flavor that can be bitter and earthy when the fruit is consumed raw.
