{"id":27592,"date":"2023-05-23T12:45:55","date_gmt":"2023-05-23T10:45:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/?p=5803"},"modified":"2023-05-23T17:35:36","modified_gmt":"2023-05-23T15:35:36","slug":"elderflower-guide-where-to-find-it-how-to-identify-and-recipe-ideas","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/elderflower-guide-where-to-find-it-how-to-identify-and-recipe-ideas\/","title":{"rendered":"Elderflower guide: where to find it, how to identify and recipe ideas"},"content":{"rendered":"

Frothy, white elderflowers can be found across the UK’s trees and hedgerows in late spring \u2013 and can be turned into delicious homemade elderflower cordial. Learn how to identify elderflower, where to find it and delicious recipes to make with our expert foraging guide. <\/p>

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

Published: Tuesday, 23 May 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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In late spring elder (Sambucus nigra) <\/em>trees<\/a> and hedgerows start to blossom with the sweet scent of fragrant and delicate elderflowers. Easily found in the British countryside, woodlands, parks and gardens, the elder tree is also known as Black Elder, Ellhorn, Pipe tree, Bore tree, Eller and Holler.<\/p>\n

The white, frothy elderflowers tend to bloom in late May<\/a> and flower until early August when the elder berries<\/a> begin to ripen. The flowers can be collected to make delicious elderflower cordial, added to cakes or biscuits or even deep-fried to make tasty elderflower fritters.<\/p>\n

June<\/a> is typically the best time of year to collect elderflower as the flowers are at their freshest. Pick the flowers on a warm, dry day and don\u2019t forget to give them a little shake to remove any insects<\/a> (without harming the insects), before soaking or rinsing in cold water and leaving them to dry. Try to avoid collecting elderflower from busy roads as the flowers will absorb the traffic-fumes.<\/p>\n

Our expert elderflower guide includes information on how to identify, where to find it and delicious recipes you can make from elderflower.<\/p>\n

What is elderflower?<\/h2>\n

Elderflower is the late spring and summer flower found on the elder tree (Sambucus Nigra<\/em>). Come August it begins to produce rich, dark elderberries that can be harvested to make elderberry wine.<\/p>\n

When is elderflower in season?<\/h2>\n
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Frothy white elderflowers burst into flower in May and June\/Credit: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

In the UK elderflower blooms begins to appear in late May and the season can last until August, although it tends to be past its best by then.<\/p>\n

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

Elder trees are incredibly common across the UK. They are small hedgerow trees with corky bark that is deeply fissured as it gets older. The leaves comprise 5-7 oval leaflets with festery edges. The creamy flowers festoon the trees in June and the smell is particularly strong on warmer days.<\/p>\n

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If in doubt about whether you are picking elderflowers, check the leaves and the smell. (Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Elderflowers are the last of the great tree flower displays of the year. The umbrellas of dense, tiny white flowers send out an alluring sweet smell that can be captured in drinks such as cordial and champagne.<\/p>\n

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In June elder trees are in full bloom\/Credit: Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

In June, the elder is at its finest, its leaves almost lost beneath the white of its flowers. The petals are small and clustered, but form an umbel that is broad and soporifically scented, like a dollop of perfume-infused, inflorescent ice-cream.<\/p>\n

The crowns of elderflower have long been gathered. Some are dunked in batter and fried, while others find their way into cordials, wines or bottles of fermented fizz. This impacts little upon the tree\u2019s regeneration, however, and by August those pollinated flowers that remain will have transformed into berries that ripen from green to deep claret.<\/p>\n