Want to make elderberry juice

[Bear]

What is the best way to process elderberries to make juice, how long will it last, must I can it, and if so how? I remember my mom used to make it and can it in quart jars. Also how do I make a tincture of it? Thank you for your help! Jim

[brownthumb]

I just made some elderberry jam. There was some juice left over but it isn't sweet at all and I threw it out after about a week. We did flavor some "smoothies" with it but drinking it straight was not pallatable. No idea about a "tincture" but I do know it was used as a remedy for a variety of illness in the old days.

[HomesteadBaker]

If you ask this question in the Alternative Health forum here on HT, I'm sure someone would give you all the answers you need.

Kitty

[marvella]

elderberries are not sweet, nor do they have a lot of pectin. if you make juice you will have to sweeten it as well as use lemon and sure-gel.

jelly and wine about about the best uses for them. to make juice just put berries stems and all in a large pot with enough water to keep them from sticking. cover, and cook over low heat until they are soft. put them into a jelly bag (or cheese cloth) and gently press out all the juice. then can the juice per ball blue book.

i've never made wine but have drank homemade elderberry and it is quite tasty.

for a tincture, take a jar the size you like (i like baby food jars) and fill it firmly with plant material. get some 100 proof vodka (don't use lesser proof) and pour over plant material, removing air bubbles. close lid firmly. the next day go back and top off the jars (the tincture fairies seem to drink some over night.) close again, and leave standing in a cool dry place for 2 weeks. when you get ready to decant, just press it through cheesecloth as above, or leave them plant material in and just pour it off. it may not be the "approved" way, but i've left some tinctures like that for years without a problem.

happy elderberry season! i love 'em.

[culpeper]

You should not eat uncooked elderberries. They are slightly toxic when raw, but are safe to eat when cooked. The green and under-ripe berries should not be eaten at all - they are quite toxic. So use only fully-ripe ones - and cook them.

So I think elderberry juice is NOT a good idea!

However, you can make a syrup of them which should keep for a couple of months in the fridge. Use it as a base for a cold drink by adding a little to a glass, and topping up with water (say about a 1:5 ratio of cordial to water, depending on how sweet you like it).

Elderberry Cordial
Simmer 2.5kg fresh ripe, crushed berries with 500g sugar until the liquid has evaporated to the consistency of honey. [I've made a lot of this. Sometimes it turns to jelly in the fridge - that's just fine with me! If I want to use it as a cordial (drink base) I just melt the required amount in the microwave.]

Another version:

Elderberry Syrup
Pick berries when thoroughly ripe from the stalks and stew with a little water in a jar in the oven or saucepan. After straining, allow 15g (1/2oz) of whole ginger and 18 cloves to each 4 litres (quarts). Boil the ingredients an hour, strain again and bottle. To about a wineglassful of Elderberry syrup, add hot water, and if liked, sugar. This is an excellent remedy for a cold.

Elderberry Jam
To every 500g (1lb) of berries add 150ml (roughly half-3/4 cup) of water, the juice of 2 lemons and 500g of sugar. Boil from 30-45 minutes, until it sets when tested. Put into jars and seal when cold. (Note: no added pectin is needed!)

[bluefish]

It's mostly the seeds of the elderberry that are toxic. That and the red variety. And you can eat quite bit before getting sick. More than you'd probably want to. Seeing as how most methods of getting the juice require cooking, the juice should be fine also. I've been eating the berries and the juice for years so we'll hope so Might explain a few things about me though. Mix it with some apple juice and honey if you like. I'm one of those weird people who like it straight. Like the plain berries too.

[Ravenlost]

My mom makes it by cooking the elderberry juice with a little sugar and lemon juice and then canning. It's pretty simple.

[YounGrey]

Elderberry Catsup, Elderberry Fritters & Elderberry Jelly
http://homesteadingrecipes.blogspot....h?q=elderberry

[heelpin]

Here's how I do it.

Carefully pick the berries from the stems (stems are toxic), do not wash, put two cups of berries to one cup of water in a boiler, simmer on low for about 10 minutes, sterilize the jars and lids and have them hot when you pour the juice in, mash the berries while they are simmering, strain and pour into jars, place the lids on and thats it. I've got some that is three years old and it tastes just like the day I put it up, great stuff for flue and colds.

[Bear]

Originally Posted by heelpin

Here's how I do it.

Carefully pick the berries from the stems (stems are toxic), do not wash, put two cups of berries to one cup of water in a boiler, simmer on low for about 10 minutes, sterilize the jars and lids and have them hot when you pour the juice in, mash the berries while they are simmering, strain and pour into jars, place the lids on and thats it. I've got some that is three years old and it tastes just like the day I put it up, great stuff for flue and colds.

Heelpin-I'm pretty sure that's how my mom used to do, and that's what I'll try. Thanks! We used to drink the juice in the winter and were hardly ever sick. When the flowers were in bloom my job was to go out and pick as many flowers as I could. She then dryed them till the flowers easy fell off the stem and stored them in airtight jars. Used in tea for bad colds or even hot compresses for badly conjested lungs; and boy did that tea ever taste terrible but in about 3 or 4 days you were good as new! Thanks everyone for responses!