Community reporter Jan Calvert continues her series of articles looking at foraging in West Leeds.
Lighting up the hedgerows and woodlands of West Leeds, the beautiful white flowers of the Elder tree are in full bloom.
Grown across Northern Europe, the Elder tree, (Sambucus nigra L.) is a popular source of both flowers and berries. The pretty cream flower heads have a honey scent and a crisp summery flavour. They have been used in Britain to make elderflower cordial since Victorian times and their use can even be traced back to the Romans in 400 AD.
The Elder has a rich folklore. Its name is thought to come from a Scandinavian tree spirit, the Norse Hyldemoer or ‘Elder Mother’ and the tree has been considered sacred. Hans Christian Andersen wrote a fairytale, ‘The Elder-Tree Mother” about a wise elder, a grandmother who tells stories and lives in the Elder tree. Other traditions caution not to take the wood of the Elder without permission!
Andy Hamilton, best selling author of ‘The First Time Forager’ writes of a Danish belief that one who stood under the Elder tree on Midsummer’s Eve would see the King and Queen of the Fairies!
Elderflowers and elderberries are both widely considered a health tonic, full of antioxidants and Vitamin C and used for colds and ‘flu.
Pick the flowers early in the morning. They are best used fresh. Trim away the stalks and discard. Dissolve 1kg sugar in a large pan of water to make a syrup. Steep the elderflower in the pan to infuse the flavour and add lemons. Leave overnight.
Drain through a muslim cloth and serve with tonic water, lemonade or prosecco. You can add a few strawberries for extra flavour and a hint of pink as you pour. Store in the fridge and drink within a few days.
- For more information about foraging, how to safely identify the plant and ideas for other elderflower recipes, visit the Woodland Trust website.
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