Ingredients · Flower
Elderflower
Sambucus nigra · Viburnaceae
What it’s like, and how to use it
- 185°F / 85°C
- 3 to 5 minutes
How to use it
Steeped gently — boiling water flattens the muscat note. In cordials and syrups. Blended with lemon, which is its natural partner. It is strongly scented, so use less than looks right.
With food
Lemon and lime. Gooseberry. Strawberry. Sparkling wine. Honey. Cream. Mint.
With spices
Lemon peel. Mint. Lemon balm. Rose.
With tea
White tea. Green tea. Rooibos. Elderberry, from the same tree.
Its story
Where it comes from
Sambucus is a genus of between twenty and thirty species; S. nigra, the European elder, is the one used. Our lot names no origin.
What happened
The elder is one of the most superstition-laden trees in Europe, and the superstitions all point the same way: leave it alone. If an elder tree was cut down, a spirit known as the Elder Mother would be released and take her revenge. Some traditions treat it as protective, others tie it to witches. Its modern life is a drink: elderflower cordial is a British summer fixture, and St-Germain, a French liqueur, is made from the flowers. They are also dipped in batter and fried as fritters, which is the oldest use of all.
On the shelf with it
Every product it goes into.
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Cold & Flu
Regular price From $12.00 CADRegular price
