| If you take a walk almost anywhere in June you | | | | used as a pleasantly floral and relaxing herbal tea, |
| are likely to see the elder tree in flower. Elder will | | | | also said to be good for colds and flu. The flowers |
| seed almost anywhere and often grow on scrub | | | | can also be used to make the absolutely best |
| land in the city as well as gracing country hedge | | | | hedgerow wine (which curiously also has the |
| rows. In June it is covered in a froth of creamy | | | | power to make you giggle like a school girl), or |
| flowers, which set small dark berries for the | | | | the most refreshing and pleasing of summer |
| autumn. Despite being regarded almost as a | | | | drinks; elderflower cordial. Pray for sunshine this |
| weed, this tree has huge value to us if we | | | | weekend, and take a basket and some scissors |
| choose to use it. Traditionally it was planted near | | | | out to gather the flowers. Kids will enjoy collecting |
| houses to ward off evil spirits, more usefully the | | | | them too, and everyone will love the finished |
| slightly stinky leaves were tucked into the bridles | | | | product. |
| of horses and oxen to keep the flies away. If | | | | Here is an easy recipe: you need not be too rigid |
| you are neither plagued by evil spirits or flies, you | | | | about the amounts, and I make it using extra |
| may wish to use the best bits of the tree; the | | | | flowers, lemons and water. Freeze some in |
| berries and flowers. The berries are packed full of | | | | part-filled plastic bottles, and keep the rest in the |
| nutrition, containing five times the antioxidants of | | | | fridge. |
| blueberries. They have been shown to increase | | | | Elderflower cordial: |
| heart health and the heath of the arteries, | | | | INGREDIENTS: |
| improve night vision, and even reduce stress. In | | | | 20 ripe heads of elderflowers |
| the autumn collect and freeze them, adding to | | | | 3 lb granulated sugar |
| berry salads, fruit compotes, pies and smoothies, | | | | 2 lemons, sliced finely |
| or they can be added to jams, chutneys or | | | | 2 oz cream of tartar |
| juiced. If elderberry smoothies don't rock your | | | | 3 pints boiling water |
| boat, then the berries make a rich fruity wine. | | | | METHOD: |
| There are several supplements made from | | | | Snip the heads (mainly the flowers, with not too |
| elderberries including Sambucol; widely available in | | | | many stalks) into a large bowl with the sugar and |
| health food shops, which claims to support the | | | | lemons. Mix well. If possible allow to stand for a |
| immune system, fight against colds and flu, | | | | few hours before the next step. |
| protect the skin from ageing and strengthen hair, | | | | Add the cream of tartar, and pour on the boiling |
| nails, teeth and gums. | | | | water. Cover and leave for 24 hours. Strain and |
| Right now the elderflowers are here and ripe for | | | | bottle immediately. |
| the picking. The flower heads can be dipped in | | | | Until you have tried it, it is difficult to imagine how |
| batter and deep fried for a deeply indulgent and | | | | heavenly it is to sip home-made elderflower |
| unusual food, or made into a sorbet. They can be | | | | cordial with sparkling water on a June afternoon in |
| hung up and dried in an airing cupboard or above | | | | the sunshine. |
| the oven, then stored in an air tight container and | | | | Enjoy! |