Blue elderberries

[Gardening with Rabbits]

We went to get firewood and I picked elderberries. The are a frosty blue. You rub them and they turn black. I know if there are green ones that the green are not ripe, but some have a black look. Are the black not yet frosty blue or are they riper than frosty blue? Can you use the black ones? I have black elderberries in my yard and I know what they are suppose to look like, but I am not sure about the black with the blue ones, if this makes sense.

 

[NwMtGardener]

I think that "frost" that i've seen on some elderberries that rubs right off is fine. I've noticed that before when picking and havent had any problems. Maybe some kind of waxy coating thats more obvious on some berries? Not sure about the ripeness difference, if one is more ripe than the other.

What are you going to make, jelly?

 

[digitS']

I think Heather has it right altho it may well be wild yeast on the skin, like with grapes. What are you going to make, wine?

I have been looking at the serviceberries. They don't seem quite ripe. I'm not gonna recommend them for wine but if you are willing to work around that huge seed you can make the most tasty (small jar) of jelly ...

Steve

 

[Gardening with Rabbits]

I am making jelly. I made some off the ones on my tree and it is my favorite jelly and even my picky DS likes it. I am also thinking of making the elderberry elixir for the flu season. I have made it before, but not very much. I am reading about it and which recipe to make. I asked somebody that does pick the blue elderberries and the white is good. She said when they are frosty blue, but I was wondering about the black. She said don't worry that they are in just different stages of ripeness, so I guess I will go with that. So busy!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[the1honeycomb]

are elderberries difficult to grow? I have some space and am looking for some different things to plant for variety.

 

[Nyboy]

Are the berries poisonous? I remember a group in England making wine, they all died after drinking it.

 

[NwMtGardener]

Elderberries must be cooked before eating. Do you cook/heat your fruit when making wine? Never done it myself.

 

[digitS']

I only made elderberry wine once.

It is a shame because it turned out so well. There are recipes on the internet & I can't remember what I did pre-internet. Seems like it took a fair number of months of aging. It's just that the berries are ready during my busiest time of the year. I really should make grape wine since things are slowing down when those grapes are harvested.

The elderberry bushes are everywhere there is some soil moisture around here. They seem to get along well with basalt rock . I've wondered what the elderberry blossom wine might be like. What I really need to do is just harvest the berries, freeze them (I guess), and get back to make wine later ... or, make a deal with my Mormon neighbor regarding all the Concord grapes he grows!

Steve