Elderflowers bloom in May and are harvested when the pistil is still fresh. They can be found in the open countryside, where the air is clean and they pave the roadsides with the color of small white flowers, which emerge in small umbrellas facing downwards (left image).. We’re talking about Sambucus nigra.
You have to be very careful though because in the wild there are similar varieties that are poisonous for man, which is the case of Sambucus ebulus, which has irregular inflorescences, with white flowers and pointed petals and pink or red stamens (right image). So, if you are not totally sure that they are edible don’t pick them!
Elderflowers properties
Elderflowers, as well as their fruits, are edible and rich in beneficial properties, among its main therapeutic uses the elderflower functions include: diuretic, emollient, anti-neuralgic, laxative, diaphoretic (induces perspiration), blood, anti-rheumatic, purifying and stimulating bronchial secretion. It’s prepared in the form of an extract, an infusion or herbal tea.
Elderflower herbal tea
Elderflower herbal tea strengthens the immune system, it’s useful against coughs, colds, and fever as it stimulates perspiration. All you need to prepare it is water and dried elderflowers. So be sure to stock up on elderflowers by letting them dry in the sun then store them in an airtight jar so have them to hand to prepare infusions and herbal teas.
Herbal tea ingredients:
5 oz water
2 teaspoons of elderflowers
Method:
Boil the water in a saucepan and add two teaspoons of dried elderflowers. Let it rest for 5 minutes, then filter and drink.
Elderflower syrup
Elderflower syrup is an excellent ally for your health, rich in vitamins, oligo-elements, and flavonoids, it has purifying and draining properties and help relieve cold and fever symptoms. If you are following a weight loss diet, a spoon mixed in water, juice, and yogurt, taken separated from mealtimes, is the perfect antidote to nervous hunger.
Elderflowers syrup ingredients:
15-20 elderflowers
1 ½ us quart water
4 untreated lemons
sugar
2 oz apple vinegar
Method:
Cut 15-20 elderflowers at the base of the umbrella, then without washing them so you don’t lose the scent, put them in a large jar with 4 untreated lemons cut into slices and 1.5 liters of water. Close the jar and let it rest at room temperature for 2-3 days, stirring occasionally. Then filter the liquid: place a colander on a pot, line it with a cloth and pour the entire contents of the jar; close the cloth around the flowers, and squeeze to wring out all the juice. Add the same weight of sugar, the apple vinegar to the liquid, and boil it for 2-3 minutes. Immediately put it into bottles, by filling them up to 1 cm below the rim. Close them and keep them in the fridge. The syrup will last 2-4 months.
Elderflowers fried in batter
Fried elderflowers will blow you away, they have the consistency of clouds, soft and fluffy. You can make them both sweet and salty, in batter with or without eggs, choosing between sparkling water or beer. If you prefer a more full-bodied batter use eggs, otherwise try without for a lighter version. The choice between sparkling water and beer depends on your taste. To get the full smell of the scented elderflowers you’d naturally need to use sparkling water, otherwise, for a batter richer in flavor opt for beer. We prefer a full-bodied batter but that leaves room for the taste of elderflowers to come through using eggs and sparkling water.
Batter ingredients for 20 elderflowers:
5 oz flour
7 oz sparkling water
2 egg whites
1 yolk
salt
pepper
Method:
Whip 2 egg whites and separately in another bowl, pour water, flour, 1 egg yolk and mix well with a whisk to obtain a velvety, lump-free consistency. Add the egg whites a little at a time and stir until the batter is smooth and frothy. Add salt and pepper to taste. Dip the elderflowers in the batter and fry them in plenty of warm peanut oil. Drain on kitchen paper and serve with a pinch of salt.
Sweet Elderflower Pancakes
Pancakes are the sweet version of fried elderflowers. Prepared with the classic crespelle batter, but with the addition of a pinch of sugar and a light sugar sprinkling after frying too.
Sweet batter ingredients:
9 oz milk
4 oz flour
2 eggs
salt
sugar
icing sugar
Method:
Assemble 2 eggs in a bowl and mix them with the flour, a pinch of salt and sugar. Then, working with the whisk, dilute the mixture the milk until you get a somewhat liquid batter without lumps. Dip the elderflowers in the pancake batter and fry them in plenty of hot peanut oil. Drain on kitchen paper and serve with a sprinkling of icing sugar.
Hugo Cocktail, the drink with elderflowers
The Hugo cocktail, for Hugo’s friends, is a slightly alcoholic drink, fragrant and fresh, thanks to the presence of elderflower syrup and mint. A quick and easy cocktail that can easily be prepared at home. Here’s how...
Ingredients for 1 drink:
2 ½ oz prosecco
2 ½ oz seltzer (or sparkling water)
1 oz elderflower syrup
mint
ice
Method:
Put several ice cubes in a large glass. Add the prosecco, seltzer (alternatively you can use a very sparkling water) and elderflower syrup. Mix everything together and complete with fresh mint leaves.