How to identify and use elderflower
- Barney Desmazery
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Elderflowers are only in season for a few short weeks – here’s exactly when to pick them, how to identify them safely, and the easiest ways to use them straight away in your kitchen
As summer arrives, the hedgerows flourish with the gentle beauty of elderflowers, gracing us with their presence from late May through early June. Explore a bounty of seasonal delights with our comprehensive guides detailing what’s in season during May and June, including how to cook with gooseberries.
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Embark on a foraging adventure with our expert tips to gather fragrant elderflowers, then indulge in a culinary journey with our curated collection of beloved elderflower recipes. From refreshing elderflower drinks and cocktails to cakes, desserts, and even salad dressings, these delicate blooms offer endless possibilities to elevate your summer culinary creations.
Meet Barney Barney Desmazery is our keen in-house forager CHANGE. Barney spends a lot of time in Wales, where one of his favourite pastimes over the past 30 years has been learning to identify edible wild plants with professional forager Craig Evans. Barney has also worked in kitchens in south-west France and in London, where wild food, when in season, played a big part in the dishes he served. Read on for his advice on how to use wild garlic.
Start here: what to do first
1. Identify → be absolutely sure that what you’re picking is elderflower
2. Pick → – only take what you need
3. Use within hours → try to cook with it as soon as you can
When is elderflower in season in the UK?
- Elderflower blossoms appear in late May to early June and flower until August, when the berries begin to ripen
- Wondering when to pick elderflowers? June tends to be the best time to collect elderflowers, as the blossoms are at their freshest
- Elderflowers can be picked throughout their season, but are at their most fragrant when they first blossom
Where can I find elderflowers?
- Elderflowers grow on small hedgerow trees (shrubs) called Sambucus, which are common in the UK. The more established elder trees can form a large umbrella shape and have a corky bark that becomes more fissured with age
- The leaves comprise five to seven oval leaflets with slightly jagged edges. You can find elder trees in many places, ranging from forests, parks and fields, to residential areas and along roads
Best places to look
- Hedgerows
- Forests
- Parks
- Fields
- Residential areas
Places to avoid
- Roadsides
- Garden/areas that may have been sprayed with chemicals
- Low enough to be reachable for dogs
What is the difference between elderflowers and elderberries?
Elderflowers are the fragrant, creamy-white blossoms of the elder tree which appear in late spring, while elderberries are the small, dark purple berries that develop later in the year and must be cooked before eating.
How to identify elderflowers
- Look for small, dense clusters (or crowns) of tiny white flowers growing in the elder trees. These have a heady, sweet fragrance that will likely lead you to them
What equipment do I need to forage elderflowers?
- A pair of scissors or secateurs will be useful for cutting off the flower heads
- An open basket or cloth bag is preferable to plastic for storing the cut-off flower heads, as this will allow insects to escape the flowers. Plastic bags are also more likely to cause the flowers to wilt, so this is another reason to avoid them
- Sturdy shoes and a pair of long trousers are advised if foraging in an area with nettles or prickly bushes
How to forage for elderflowers
- Avoid picking them alongside busy roads, as the flowers with absorb traffic fumes – opt for hedgerows in more natural settings if possible
- Aim to pick the flowers on a warm, dry day when the blooms are likely to be newly opened and full of scented pollen
- Use the scissors to cut the elderflower heads at the bottom of each cluster of flowers
- Make sure to pick only the freshest flower heads, as the wilted or brown flowers will taste bitter. Also avoid picking premature buds that are yet to open
- Don't forget to give them a gentle shake to remove any insects before putting in your basket
- It's advisable to rinse the flowers in cold water to remove extraneous debris before using, though this will wash off some of the flavour, so be sure to do it briefly. If you’re using the flowers for cordial that will be boiled and strained, you might not wish to rinse them
Please note that you should use within a few hours or store in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
General foraging guidelines
- Seek permission with the relevant landowner before foraging, as in certain areas, plant species will be protected
- Only pick from bushes with a plentiful supply of elderflower and don't take more than you need. Never completely strip an area, as this can be detrimental to animals that rely on the plants for survival, as well as causing harm to the plant species
- Be respectful of the surrounding wildlife habitats and avoid causing disruption or damage to nearby species
Can you freeze elderflowers?
To preserve elderflowers' delicate essence, consider freezing them for later use. Place approximately 25 heads in a bag and freeze. When ready, incorporate them directly into hot sugar syrup straight from the freezer. This method maintains their freshness and prevents browning upon defrosting, ensuring your elderflowers retain their vibrant colour and flavour.
Read our beginner's guide to foraging for more advice.
What to do with elderflowers today
1. Cordial Easy to make using freshly gathered elderflowers, lemons, sugar, water and tartaric or citric acid. It's refreshing and perfect for summer entertaining. 2. Fritters Lightly fried, golden and crunchy and drizzled with orange blossom honey. 3. Infusion Try infusing spirits with elderflower, as in our recipe for 'elderflower & gooseberry vodka' and 'elderflower-infused gin'. If you only try one thing, use your foraged elderflower to make a cordial – it captures flavour best and stores longest.
How to store elderflowers
Picked more elderflower than you need? Here’s how to store and preserve them:
Barney
Add reassurance sentence in this storage section, something along the lines of: “Loss of aroma is the first sign they’re past their best – they’re still usable but less flavourful”
Best elderflower recipes
Elderflower desserts
Elderflower is delicious mixed into cakes, tarts, trifles and jams. It pairs particularly well with tart fruits such as rhubarb and gooseberries. From casual nibbles to celebratory showstoppers, we have a whole host of fantastic floral recipes. Bake a lemon & elderflower traybake, rhubarb & elderflower sponge cake or lemon & elderflower celebration cake for the ultimate decadent dessert. Or layer up a strawberry & elderflower trifle with an irresistible lemon drizzle base.
For something lighter on a warm day, cool off with a scoop of gooseberry & elderflower yogurt ice. You can whip up this easy treat with just five ingredients. It may sound strange, but the blooms are also moreish dipped into a light batter and fried until crisp. Try our elderflower fritters with honey for a dessert with a difference.
Planning a dinner party? Whip up our simple, sophisticated elderflower posset with gooseberries to enjoy with friends al fresco. Or impress with our summer fruits & elderflower fool, made by whipping Greek yogurt and cream together and piling over macerated fruit.
Elderflower drinks
The subtle floral notes of elderflower cordial make a wonderfully refreshing and sophisticated alternative to alcohol – perfect for summer entertaining. Or, if you're looking for a party aperitif, try infusing spirits with elderflower, as in our recipe for elderflower & gooseberry vodka and elderflower-infused gin. These are great for a summer gathering, served with tonic water and lots of ice.
Catering for a crowd? Mix up a batch of apple, elderflower & mint punch or our floral gin pitcher. It's easily doubled if a few extra guests turn up unannounced.
Elderflower cordial is easy to make using freshly gathered elderflowers, lemons, sugar, water and tartaric or citric acid. If you don't have any elderflowers growing nearby, a good choice of cordials is now available in supermarkets. You could use your homemade elderflower cordial in this gooseberry cheesecake recipe.
If you’re looking for a new foodie project, try your hand at making elderflower wine or elderflower champagne. We have plenty of home brewing tips, including a guide to home brewing safety and expert advice on how to clean home brewing equipment.
In the mood for a cocktail? Whip up an elderflower gin fizz, elderflower collins or elderflower spritz. Or check out our top 5 elderflower drinks for even more inspiration.
More elderflower recipes
Prosecco & elderflower cocktail
Gooseberry, elderflower & sauvignon sorbet
Chicken garden salad with elderflower dressing
Gooseberry & elderflower yogurt ice
Homemade elderflower cordial
Elderflower & raspberry jelly
Elderflower crunch cake
All our favourite elderflower recipes
All our favourite gooseberry recipes
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