Elderflower

[jamesw]

ALERT!!!

To all the keen foragers and elderflower flavour enthusiasts, I spotted my first open heads of elderflower today! (in Bristol area, so further north may be delayed).

I would say in a week or two they will start to come into good bloom, enough to collect easily, and remember, always collect in the morning when they are freshly opened to they have the most nectar (otherwise the insects will take their fill).
and remember to leave plenty to allow for healthy continuation of the plant and enough for the latter elderberry production!

The flowers are easily picked from the green stems using a fork (don't include any green as it tastes horrible and contains cyanide (well a cyanide-inducing glycoside which when broken down produces cyanide).

 

[Hopping_Mad]

Thanks for the heads up. I'm trying elderflower champagne this year and have been collecting Prosecco bottles.

Might be another couple of weeks yet here in the 'frozen North' - it was only 8*C last night when I got in from work!!!

 

[GHW]

I'd get some if I knew of some growing round my way. I'm more likely to come across some nelson sauvin hops. Ho ho.

 

[jmh7117]

ALERT!!!
To all the keen foragers and elderflower flavour enthusiasts, I spotted my first open heads of elderflower today! (in bristol area, so further north may be delayed).

I would say in a week or two they will start to come into good bloom, enough to collect easily, and remember, always collect in the morning when they are freshly opened to they have the most nectar (otherwise the insects will take their fill).
and remember to leave plenty to allow for healthy continuation of the plant and enough for the latter elderberry production!

The flowers are easily picked from the green stems using a fork (dont inlcude any green as it tastes horrible and contains cyanide (well a cyanide-inducing glycoside which when broken down produces cyanide).

Erm am a bit worried now as I have recently added an elderflower tea to my brew. The smallest of stems left towards the flower infused in boiling water....

 

[jamesw]

nothing really to worry about if they are that small... would only be small quantities and if you boiled them, they might denature.
apple pips etc have the same compound, but in such small amounts that its probably fine! you just wouldnt want to put the whole flower head with the adjoining green stems in or it might make you feel a bit ill.

 

[Richardb22]

I live in the city. Ikea. Elderflower cordial Ingredients: Sugar, water, elderflower extract ( 22.2% ), Lemin juice from concentrate, acid ( E330). I googled E330 it is citric acid,

I brought a bottle with no thought as to brewing with it just as a nice summer soft drink. It is £2.50 1/2 lt

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/search/?query=+Elderflower+syrup

Any one tried it? I am taking a guess that as it already has some acidity and sugar just a bit more sugar, dilute and a champagne yeast might be all I need?

Richard

Thanks Richard

 

[Chippy_Tea]

I recently made 2 gallons of apple/elderflower (1.25L per bottle) and red grape juice (1 litre) in each DJ, its clearing at the moment, i will post my thoughts when i have tasted it - http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/gb/groceries/copella-apple---elderflower-juice-125l?langId=44&storeId=10151&krypto=lQmHFZiERpYPZodruqUGQl%2BwCY0dGP45I3iqGoulekPKbkOEHDj%2F0AwDwrwQBAdOvGns5cNy3YhH%0A8sgUQ25TQuU6f8sqW5abgGpLS%2FjSeJCsgr7Z6iwaeKOoppMCnBLF&ddkey=http:gb/groceries/copella-apple---elderflower-juice-125l

 

[tonyhibbett]

I recently tried the Tesco elderflower (11% extract) and apple cordial. I used 2 x 500 ml bottles and 250 g of minced sultanas. The flavour was good, but alas no aroma.

 

[Grand gris]

Ill be redoing an Elderflower hock which turned out well last year

I always add White grape juice to this but it only appears to be on sale in waitrose at an eye watering £1.75 per litre anyone know any reasonably priced(Cheep) suppliers as all the other supermarkets seem to have stopped supplying it

 

[JoeTotale]

Over cautious maybe but I wouldn't use prosecco bottles for elderflower. They are lighter and not designed for live ferments (prosecco is fizzed up in tanks).

 

[tonyhibbett]

If in doubt, weigh the bottle. 875-900 g is standard for bottle fermented (champagne, cava) wine, compared to 750 g for other types. No bottle is safe if there is too much sugar.