Elderberry Cordial

Walking along the leafy country lanes with little grandsons in tow is a pleasure in itself – and the gathering of a little of nature’s bounty along the way, a bonus.
Yesterday we went in search of elderberries, armed with jugs and bowls, not knowing how much we would find. We spotted more than we could pick, as lots were hanging far too high for any of us to reach, but that just means that the birds get their share, too.
We filled a carrier bag of bunches of berries, which made one and a half litre when cleaned off the stalks. That's enough for me to make some elderberry cordial with, although I’m giving you the recipe for two litres, which is the way my grandmother gave it to my mother, and she to me.

Elderflower cordial is an excellent remedy for winter colds and flu, but should then be served hot, like a toddy, and quite concentrated.

Elderberry Cordial

2 litres elderberries
1 litre water
300g sugar pr litre of liquid when strained

Remove berries from stalks using a fork to pull them off. Boil berries with water for half an hour, crushing the berries with a wooden spoon when softened. Strain well. A jelly cloth on a stand - which is what my mother used - would be ideal. I have to rely on a fine sieve, a big pan, and plenty of patience.
I let the mixture cool before straining. I have been splashed with hot juice one time too many!

Once strained, measure the liquid and add 300 grams sugar per litre of liquid and boil up for about 10 minutes, then bottle up in sterilised bottles. Use a funnel – and take care! The cordial will be hot and will also stain whatever it hits.

Tip: The elderflowers make an excellent elderflower champagne. I’ll let you in on my recipe when the time is right and the elder is in bloom.

My son-in-law told me of another way to use the elderberry to treat and ward off an approaching cold. Simply dry bunches of elderberries, suspended inside a brown paper bag, and then, when needed, take a couple of bunches and steep in boiling water. Strain, add honey and drink while hot.

Elderberries are also used as a herbal remedy, as an anti-inflammatory, as well as a diuretic. It’s also believed to boost the immune system. It’s best known as an aid to treat and relieve bronchitis, asthma, colds and flu. As a bonus it helps lower cholesterol. What it lacks in flavour it makes up for in positive benefits!
Can be used in pies and jams, but I don't fancy trying that myself.

Did you know… that the berry shouldn’t be eaten raw because they are mildly poisonous? Eating them in their raw state can induce nausea and vomiting – as one of my daughters found out years ago. Thank goodness she stopped her little one eating them yesterday! Instead he gripped tightly his two pint jug, containing half a dozen blackberries (we found blackberry bushes still in flower, and it's September!).

Cooked, the elderberries are perfectly edible, and good for you, but remember that all the green parts of the tree are poisonous. This may sound strange in the light of the fact that parts of the elder tree has been used for flutes and whistles since ancient times, as well as for pop guns or blow pipes for children.
But – it was not all fun and games. The elder (which had many names over the years) is also known as The Judas Tree, as Judas supposedly hanged himself in an elder (eller):

'Judas he japed with Jewen silver
And sithen an eller hanged hymselve.'

(Langland’s ‘Vision of Piers Plowman – pre Chaucer)


In yet another old tradition The Cross of Calvary was said to be fashioned of elder. No wonder it became associated with sorrow and death:

'Bour tree - Bour tree: crooked rong
Never straight and never strong;
Ever bush and never tree
Since our Lord was nailed on thee.'



…and did you know… that gypsies are not allowed to use elder as firewood? It’s thought to bring bad luck.
In most countries, Denmark in particular, I understand, the elder was closely connected with magic. A dryad, Hylde-Moer (Elder-Mother) supposedly lived in the tree, looking after it. Should anyone be as foolish as to cut it down and make furniture out of the wood, Hylde-Moer would haunt the owners. We'll stick to picking the flowers and the berries then!