General Description

Sambucus is a species of flowering plant that is better known as – and commonly called Elderberry or just Elderflower. The ripe berries are an intensely dark-red colour but the dried berries that we stock appear almost black. The flavour of the berries can be described as tart, tangy or bitter – Please note the additional information section for consumption guidelines.

Use Cases

Dried or cooked elderberries are commonly used in both distilled and brewed drinks both for its tart and tangy flavour profile but the berries also produce an intense purple-blue pigment which, when diluted with water, turns reddish in colour.

The pigment created by elderberries are used in a variety of products as colourants and the pigment is recognised by the US FDA as a natural colour additive.

Additional information (If applicable)

Although the berries are edible when cooked, this is not the case with uncooked berries (Dried elderberries are considered uncooked) and much like kidney beans they are toxic when consumed and may induce various gastro-intestinal symptoms when consumed that will vary in severity depending on how many berries are consumed. Thus it is highly recommended to cook the berries before any intended consumption.

§                     Storage

Keep packet sealed/closed tightly after opening, keep in a cool, dry place and away from pests.

§                     Shelf life

These are dried ingredients and should not spoil in any reasonable time frame provided storage conditions are met, however some flavour and viability may be lost over long periods (Several months) of storage.