Elderberry - European Elder (Sambucus nigra)

Family: Caprifoliaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Elderberry is native to most of Europe and North America. It has excellent edible, medicinal and other uses. The flavour of the raw fruit is not acceptable to all tastes, though when cooked it makes delicious jams, preserves, pies etc. It can be used fresh or dried, the dried fruit being less bitter. The fruit is used to add flavour and colour to preserves, jams, pies, sauces, chutneys etc., and is used to make wine.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Berries, Flowers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

flavour of the raw fruit is not acceptable to many tastes, though when cooked it makes delicious jams, preserves, pies and so forth. — Fruit - raw or cooked.; The flavour of the raw fruit is not acceptable to many tastes, though when cooked it makes delicious jams, preserves, pies and so forth.; It can be used fresh or dried, the dried fruit being less bitter.; The fruit is used to add flavour and colour to preserves, jams, pies, sauces, chutneys etc, it is also often used to make wine.

Habitat & North American Range

Hedgerows, scrub, woods, roadsides, waste places etc, especially on disturbed base-rich and nitrogen rich soils. (Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10)