Blue Elderberrys. Does anybody use them?

[Gutpile]

I've heard of a few people using them for Syrup, Wine, or Jam so I picked a bunch this weekend and thought I'd try to make some Jelly and Syrup. I was hoping some of you had some concoctions or recommendations for me. I've been watching a few YouTube videos and they have been good but thought some of you may want to share.

Thanks in advance

[RadSav]

I was hoping some of you had...recommendations for me.

Sugar.  Lot's and lots of sugar.  And if you are not sure you've used enough, add more sugar   Also, make sure you've stocked up on TP if you plan on consuming much volume!

I am not a fan, but my oldest brother loves elderberry jam.  Though I believe he adds blueberries or huckleberries to it to help sweeten and add bulk.

[jackelope]

No shortage of elderberries this year. My wife and mother in law both make syrup to use for tea. They love it.

[boneaddict]

The oldtimers always say that they need to freeze before they are "safe" to harvest.   Safe meaning not going to c r a p yourself to death.    I am not sure  if that is true or not, but they will offer you a great colon cleanse.  I see birds eating them early, but have noted that I dont see bear eating them often until after a freeze.  Would they know that?   Does the freeze change their chemical composition, make them more sweet, like freezing does to grapes.

[Gutpile]

Intersting. Well, I did freeze them and I noticed the bears barely touch them where I hunt. Every now and again I hear folks talking about them and thought I'd give them a try. I dont know why, I never use syrup or jam but I guess I just wanted to experiment. Ill yry to post what I come up with if it's interesting.

P.s. the older I get the more I look forward to a good colon cleansing so if thats the worst thing that happens I'll be a happy camper

[RadSav]

P.s. the older I get the more I look forward to a good colon cleansing so if thats the worst thing that happens I'll be a Happy camper Crapper

There you go!  Careful what you ask for.  Though you might as well schedule a prostate exam while your at it

My mother made a huckleberry pie once that tasted GREAT!!!  Five hours later we thought the whole family was going to need emergency IV's to save us from extreme dehydration. 

[Gutpile]

 

[Gutpile]

The oldtimers always say that they need to freeze before they are "safe" to harvest.   Safe meaning not going to c r a p yourself to death.    I am not sure  if that is true or not, but they will offer you a great colon cleanse.  I see birds eating them early, but have noted that I dont see bear eating them often until after a freeze.  Would they know that?   Does the freeze change their chemical composition, make them more sweet, like freezing does to grapes.

Freezing may very well change them now that I think about it. It sweetens grapes and (you'll love this) I have a client I spray for who grows his medical pot and he says it makes it more potent after a good frost. LOL. I don't partake, it's just what he told me when I asked him if he had to worry about frost killing it. So freezing may do something. Who knows. 

[whacker1]

I was thought the first frost sweetened them up.  I see bears hit them after that. 

[runningboard]

an herbologist I know says they are full of anti-oxidants

[sthd system]

Well had me a good laugh ,
now I know a gift I can make for my ex in laws !

[Special T]

They are used as an Anti viral Tincture. The recipe i heard was take a half cup of dried berries and put in a bottle with vodka. If there is a bad batch of flue or more serious virus take a teaspoon a day. Supposedly it makes it harder for viruses to attach and breach cell walls. I think i remember some reference to them during the black plague in Europe.

[Cap.Silver]

The USDA plant base says this :Only the blue or purple berries of
elderberry are edible. Edible berries and flower are
used for medicine, dyes for basketry, arrow shafts,
flute, whistles, clapper sticks, and folk medicine.
The active alkaloids in elderberr
y plants are
hydrocyanic acid and sambucine. Both alkaloids will
cause nausea so care should be observed with this
plant. Elderberries are high in vitamin C.
The red
berries of other species are toxic
and should not be
gathered.