Elder trees are beautiful this year. Most elders grow from a small stumpy bole and the older the bole the faster the growth of new energetic shoots spurt. The whole of the plant smells both leaf, shoot, stem and bark and all of these including the root are poisonous as they contain something similar to cyanide. The green parts of the pant therefore make an excellent insecticide and ward off problematic attacks of all types of insects. Best results are obtained when the plant is picked and crushed – but wash hands well after exposure to the juice from the leaves and stems.
The elder fruit called elderberry, is worth its weight in gold because it is known for its ability to kill and ward off viruses. It may be eaten in many ways – for those who like only sweet things then it will readily be made into a jam or compote. The fruit may be boiled with sugar and sieved off making a rich syrup for pouring onto breakfast cereals or over deserts. It makes a beautiful jelly that can be served as a sweet or used as an accompanying relish with foul, game or pork. It also makes a wonderful rich tonic wine that is both thick and potent. Perhaps the hardest part of harvesting elderberry is the stripping of the fruit off the tiny stems --- but it produces the most wonderful supply of healthy immune booster ~~~ and best of all IT IS FREE AS IT GROWS WILD JUST ABOUT ANYWHERE!!
The blossom is almost sickly sweet and very heady and makes an excellent champagne or fizzy Summer wine.
Posts
.JPG)
10 comments:
Fun and interesting facts about the elderberry. They are also quite pretty
I remember years ago somebody showing me how to deep fry the Elder flower heads after coating them in batter resulting in battered (not beaten!) Elderflower. Very tasty indeed with a lovely hint of that aromatic elderflower smell.
British Wildfoods, we don't have many so we should make the most of what we have..
I use elderberry in my diet. Stay fairly healthy. I do not like the smell of the plant. Very interesting about the Insecticide.
I agree - I don't have room for one but my neighour has one and it's wonderful
Daddy and I were just talking the other day about what cool trees they are. We were driving back from checking on his elder sister and noticed them along the road.
Sandy
I have never had elderberry anything but sure would like to try it. They are pretty flowers. And it does sound very healthy. Will have to look for some. Wonder if it grows around here.
Thanks for that good information.
I have one growing wild next to my camper. It gets in the way but I love it anyway. The berries help feed the birds.
Learned some new facts about this tree from your post. Thanks!
that's so pretty! looks like a rainforest!
What a lovely blog!
please post the recipe for the elderberry fizzy as it sounds delightful. I spent a few moments looking back at the purple flower posts and they really made me smile. another great post Polly.
Post a Comment