{"id":19272,"date":"2022-09-06T11:00:09","date_gmt":"2022-09-06T09:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=17415"},"modified":"2022-09-06T11:48:10","modified_gmt":"2022-09-06T09:48:10","slug":"elderberry-guide-where-to-find-health-benefits-and-recipe-ideas","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/elderberry-guide-where-to-find-health-benefits-and-recipe-ideas\/","title":{"rendered":"Elderberry guide: where to find, health benefits and recipe ideas"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Carys Matthews\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 06 September 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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As summer drifts into autumn, elderberries become a common sight alongside Britain\u2019s country lanes, garden verges and woodlands<\/a>. These small, purple-black berries are found growing in bunches on elder trees\u00a0and are a valuable resource for\u00a0humans and wildlife alike.<\/p>\n

Our expert elderberry guide explores where the fruit grows, when to pick it, its health benefits and recipe ideas.<\/p>\n

When are elderberries in season?<\/h2>\n

Elderberries (Sambucus nigra)\u00a0<\/em>ripen between August and October, replacing the elderflower<\/a> clusters seen in earlier in the year in\u00a0late spring.<\/p>\n

What does elderberry look like?<\/h2>\n

The elderberry is a small purple-black berry which grows in bunches on elder trees.<\/p>\n

Where can I find elderberries?<\/h2>\n
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Elderberry tree in hedgerow \u00a9Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Elder trees grow in woodlands,\u00a0hedgerows,\u00a0scrub and wasteland. They may also be found\u00a0along road verges and often crop up\u00a0in gardens. Their seeds are distributed via animal droppings, so keep an eye out for the tree\u2019s fresh green leaves around\u00a0rabbit warrens and badger sets \u2013 or vice versa.<\/p>\n

Can I eat elderberries?<\/h2>\n

Yes, but they should be cooked first to safely remove the\u00a0lectin and cyanide (toxins). Eaten raw, elderberries have a bitter, tart flavour, but eaten cooked they taste quite different. Raw berries are also mildly poisonous and can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Elder branches, bark and leaves should not be consumed at all.<\/p>\n

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Elderberries should be cooked before being eaten \u00a9Getty<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n
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