Whole dried elderberries, small dark berries from the elder shrub (Sambucus nigra), with a deep, slightly tart, fruity flavor that lands somewhere between a raisin and a black currant. Hand-packed at Home Folk's Bulk Herb Store, sold in 1/4 lb and 1/2 lb sizes so you can buy what you need for one batch of syrup or stock the pantry for a season of putting up. A note before you start: elderberries should always be cooked before eating. Even dried, the berries contain a compound called sambunigrin that can cause upset stomach if consumed raw. Simmering, steeping in hot water, or baking at a full oven temperature all take care of it, so syrup, tea, tinctures (the alcohol cooks them through), muffins, scones, and quick breads are all in. Skip the raw applications: no-bake granola, raw energy bites, or sprinkled onto cereal that isn't hot. Elderberries have historically been respected as one of the great old pantry berries. Bring a small pot to a low simmer with a little water, strain, sweeten with honey, and you have the elderberry syrup that's been on kitchen counters for generations. Steep them as a tea, fold them into muffin batter or a fruit bread, or use them anywhere you'd reach for a dried raisin or currant in a cooked recipe. One of the longtime favorites from our bulk herbs and berries selection. A nice companion to the red rose petals on the same pantry shelf when you're building your own blends. Ingredients: Elderberries (Sambucus nigra).
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