ELDERFLOWER
ELDERFLOWER
Elderflower needs little introduction. But with much of the elderflower we consume in drinks, soaps and other products being imported from Eastern Europe are there any commercial harvesting opportunities in Wales?
WHAT IS ELDERFLOWER?
-Sambucus nigra-
When arriving at your community woodland in late spring or early summer, you may come across a twisted shrubby form covered in moss, showered in heavily scented pearly-white flowers. It may only be hedgerow height but has the potential to grow up to 10m tall with a trunk diameter of 30cm! This is Sambucus nigra, commonly known as Elder. Elder is viewed by some as a gateway to the underworld and the mysterious realms of Pan, and, sadly, by others as a nuisance plant often described as scruffy and scrubby and classified as a weed by many. Yet through all the millennia this plant has been alongside us and to those who know, Elder is one of the most giving of plants packed with goodness and held in great regard.
WHAT IS ELDERFLOWER?
-Sambucus nigra-
When arriving at your community woodland in late spring or early summer, you may come across a twisted shrubby form covered in moss, showered in heavily scented pearly-white flowers. It may only be hedgerow height but has the potential to grow up to 10m tall with a trunk diameter of 30cm! This is Sambucus nigra, commonly known as Elder. Elder is viewed by some as a gateway to the underworld and the mysterious realms of Pan, and, sadly, by others as a nuisance plant often described as scruffy and scrubby and classified as a weed by many. Yet through all the millennia this plant has been alongside us and to those who know, Elder is one of the most giving of plants packed with goodness and held in great regard.
WHY COLLECT ELDERFLOWER?
Country lore time and time again tells us of this plant’s wondrous medicinal and culinary value. Elderflowers and Elderberries have been used for many things from ‘miracle cure’ remedies and tinctures to hair dye, from warding away ‘evil’ to skin cream! Today it is more famed as a superb ingredient for summer drinks, cakes and jams, with the flowers also being used for their delightful decorative qualities. This, of course, presents opportunities for sustainable, commercial harvesting.
WHY COLLECT ELDERFLOWER?
Country lore time and time again tells us of this plant’s wondrous medicinal and culinary value. Elderflowers and Elderberries have been used for many things from ‘miracle cure’ remedies and tinctures to hair dye, from warding away ‘evil’ to skin cream! Today it is more famed as a superb ingredient for summer drinks, cakes and jams, with the flowers also being used for their delightful decorative qualities. This, of course, presents opportunities for sustainable, commercial harvesting.
CAN I USE ANY PART OF THE ELDER?
Many parts of alder are useful but in different ways – don’t confuse them!
- The flowers and berries are edible when eaten in moderation, however the stems, leaves and twigs are poisonous to humans and should not be consumed.
- The bark is used medicinally by Herbalists.
- The timber makes excellent carving wood.
- The wood cannot be used as firewood as the smoke produces dangerous gasses due to it containing Cyanide. An old poem about firewood exclaims ‘make a fire of Elder tree, death within your house will be’!
- Some parts are useful as a natural dye: leaves give green, twigs yellow and berries purple. The dye is bright at first and fades to muted pastels.
- The wood ear fungi (Auricularia auricula-judae) grows almost exclusively on dead elder is edible and prized in Chinese cusine.
CAN I USE ANY PART OF THE ELDER?
Many parts of alder are useful but in different ways – don’t confuse them!
- The flowers and berries are edible when eaten in moderation, however the stems, leaves and twigs are poisonous to humans and should not be consumed.
- The bark is used medicinally by Herbalists.
- The timber makes excellent carving wood.
- The wood cannot be used as firewood as the smoke produces dangerous gasses due to it containing Cyanide. An old poem about firewood exclaims ‘make a fire of Elder tree, death within your house will be’!
- Some parts are useful as a natural dye: leaves give green, twigs yellow and berries purple. The dye is bright at first and fades to muted pastels.
- The wood ear fungi (Auricularia auricula-judae) grows almost exclusively on dead elder is edible and prized in Chinese cusine.
WILD COMMERCIAL HARVESTING OPPORTUNITIES
Elderflowers have been used as an ingredient in food, drink and beauty products for many years, and today demand is increasing as people seek natural, locally sourced produce in the quest for wellbeing and reducing environmental impact. Products available today, online and in store, that use elderflower include beer, ciders, spirits, jams, cordials, skincare products, soaps, ice-creams, sun-tan lotion and hair treatment for men, to name but a few.
Most elderflower that was consumed in the UK pre-Brexit was dried and imported from Eastern Europe where many wild herbs are gathered and dried for worldwide markets due to their abundance in those regions, the prevalence of large-scale elder orchards, and, of course, cheap labour. Elderflower orchards are, of course, present in the UK too with companies like Belvoir (soft drinks producer) managing their own 60-acre site.
There are a multitude of companies in Wales (and of course worldwide) that use elderflower in their products. In Wales our research concluded that fresh elderflower (heads) returns between £3.00 – £5.00 per kilo (green weight). The RRP of dried elderflower is between £20 – £30 per kilo and is easier to handle with a lengthy shelf life.
Dewis Gwyllt spoke to a small group of Welsh businesses that use elderflower in their products, mostly sourced themselves but predominantly bought-in, dried, from Eastern Europe – including spirits, beer, soft drink and soap producers. Most of the businesses canvassed, were very interested in purchasing Welsh, sustainably harvested elderflower – even in small amounts, as this would enable them to make ‘locally sourced’ claims.
Supplying Fresh Flowers:
In Wales, companies like Mydflower are keen to source fresh, Welsh elderflower to use in their range of drinks. In England Belvoir supplement their own supplies by arranging collections from independent pickers, who are required to deliver to specified drop-off points, using specified bags and are paid by the kilo. See HOW TO COLLECT AND STORE ELDERFLOWER below and our Exploring Opportunities pages, for more information.
Supplying Dried Flowers:
Following Dewis Gwyllt harvesting and drying trials conducted in 2021, as a rough guide, each 100g of fresh flowers will produce approximately 18g dried weight. A Welsh beer producer and soap manufacturer were keen to supplement their existing supplies with Welsh elderflower to reduce food-miles and enhance the associated Welshness of their products. See HOW TO COLLECT AND STORE ELDERFLOWER below and our Exploring Opportunities pages, for more information.
Our Marketing page provides more information on commercial opportunities associated with non-timber forest products and external support services.
WILD COMMERCIAL HARVESTING OPPORTUNITIES
Elderflowers have been used as an ingredient in food, drink and beauty products for many years, and today demand is increasing as people seek natural, locally sourced produce in the quest for wellbeing and reducing environmental impact. Products available today, online and in store, that use elderflower include beer, ciders, spirits, jams, cordials, skincare products, soaps, ice-creams, sun-tan lotion and hair treatment for men, to name but a few.
Most elderflower that was consumed in the UK pre-Brexit was dried and imported from Eastern Europe where many wild herbs are gathered and dried for worldwide markets due to their abundance in those regions, the prevalence of large-scale elder orchards, and, of course, cheap labour. Elderflower orchards are, of course, present in the UK too with companies like Belvoir (soft drinks producer) managing their own 60-acre site.
There are a multitude of companies in Wales (and of course worldwide) that use elderflower in their products. In Wales our research concluded that fresh elderflower (heads) returns between £3.00 – £5.00 per kilo (green weight). The RRP of dried elderflower is between £20 – £30 per kilo and is easier to handle with a lengthy shelf life.
Dewis Gwyllt spoke to a small group of Welsh businesses that use elderflower in their products, mostly sourced themselves but predominantly bought-in, dried, from Eastern Europe – including spirits, beer, soft drink and soap producers. Most of the businesses canvassed, were very interested in purchasing Welsh, sustainably harvested elderflower – even in small amounts, as this would enable them to make ‘locally sourced’ claims.
Supplying Fresh Flowers:
In Wales, companies like Mydflower are keen to source fresh, Welsh elderflower to use in their range of drinks. In England Belvoir supplement their own supplies by arranging collections from independent pickers, who are required to deliver to specified drop-off points, using specified bags and are paid by the kilo. See HOW TO COLLECT AND STORE ELDERFLOWER below and our Exploring Opportunities pages, for more information.
Supplying Dried Flowers:
Following Dewis Gwyllt harvesting and drying trials conducted in 2021, as a rough guide, each 100g of fresh flowers will produce approximately 18g dried weight. A Welsh beer producer and soap manufacturer were keen to supplement their existing supplies with Welsh elderflower to reduce food-miles and enhance the associated Welshness of their products. See HOW TO COLLECT AND STORE ELDERFLOWER below and our Exploring Opportunities pages, for more information.
Our Marketing page provides more information on commercial opportunities associated with non-timber forest products and external support services.
COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CULTIVATING ELDERFLOWER
If the idea of an Elder orchard inspires you or your group, you might be interested in a new Nuffield Farming Report published by Alice Jones NSch 2019, Senior Food Innovation Advisor and Sensory Scientist at the University of Nottingham on Cultivating Elders for the UK Processing Industries. The research, funded by Thatchers Cider found that:
“The real key to knowing how to grow elder is not about following a prescribed list of treatments, but more about understanding the botany of the species, how it likes to interact with its local environment (above and below ground) and the fundamental principles behind how you work with it and your land to select or recreate optimal conditions. Deeper understanding provides a toolkit to apply to one’s own land and operation and allows adaption of approach to ensure a long term, sustainable crop”.
The report can be viewed here:
COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CULTIVATING ELDERFLOWER
If the idea of an Elder orchard inspires you or your group, you might be interested in a new Nuffield Farming Report published by Alice Jones NSch 2019, Senior Food Innovation Advisor and Sensory Scientist at the University of Nottingham on Cultivating Elders for the UK Processing Industries. The research, funded by Thatchers Cider found that:
“The real key to knowing how to grow elder is not about following a prescribed list of treatments, but more about understanding the botany of the species, how it likes to interact with its local environment (above and below ground) and the fundamental principles behind how you work with it and your land to select or recreate optimal conditions. Deeper understanding provides a toolkit to apply to one’s own land and operation and allows adaption of approach to ensure a long term, sustainable crop”.
The report can be viewed here:
WHERE TO FIND ELDERFLOWER
Almost anywhere! Woodlands (albeit the fringes of woodland), hedgerows, riverbanks, country lanes, wasteland, farmland and gardens. South facing sunny areas are preferable, though elder can grow in partial shade and is tolerant of most soils. Care should be taken when gathering from hedgerows adjacent to lanes. Traffic is the obvious reason, but dust and pollutants can also contaminate the flowers. The sweeping motion of passing cars may also dispel the pollen leaving a weaker flavour.
WHERE TO FIND ELDERFLOWER
Almost anywhere! Woodlands (albeit the fringes of woodland), hedgerows, riverbanks, country lanes, wasteland, farmland and gardens. South facing sunny areas are preferable, though elder can grow in partial shade and is tolerant of most soils. Care should be taken when gathering from hedgerows adjacent to lanes. Traffic is the obvious reason, but dust and pollutants can also contaminate the flowers. The sweeping motion of passing cars may also dispel the pollen leaving a weaker flavour.
WHEN TO COLLECT ELDERFLOWER
Elder is very easy to collect, and flowers start to appear late in May and continue into early and mid-June. Some say it is best collected in the early hours of the day for maximum potency being as the pollen has been less distributed and certainly it is best to collect in dry weather ideally. The pollen is what makes it the flowers so flavourful so the less disturbed the flower-head the better, for a quality product.
WHEN TO COLLECT ELDERFLOWER
Elder is very easy to collect, and flowers start to appear late in May and continue into early and mid-June. Some say it is best collected in the early hours of the day for maximum potency being as the pollen has been less distributed and certainly it is best to collect in dry weather ideally. The pollen is what makes it the flowers so flavourful so the less disturbed the flower-head the better, for a quality product.
CAN I USE ANY PART OF THE ELDER?
No. The flowers and berries are edible when eaten in moderation, however the stems, leaves and twigs are poisonous to humans and should not be consumed. Young Elder shoots are edible when very young but not recommended as this will change as they mature. The bark is used medicinally by Herbalists. The timber makes excellent carving wood. The wood from Elder cannot be used as firewood as the smoke produces dangerous gasses due to it containing Cyanide. An old poem about firewood exclaims ‘make a fire of Elder tree, death within your house will be’!
HOW TO COLLECT AND STORE ELDERFLOWER
Always obtain the landowner’s permission before harvesting.
Harvest levels should never exceed the rates at which the plant can replenish supplies and harvesting practices need to ensure plants are not damaged and remain productive and healthy, along with other species and habitats within the associated ecosystem. Click here for more information on SUSTAINBLE HARVESTING.
Equipment is simple – a basket as opposed to a bag is preferable, to prevent bruising and also allows any unseen creatures to escape, along with a walking stick to pull down harder to reach flower heads. The stems break off easily with a pinch, so secateurs are not necessary. If using a ladder, as the most abundant specimens are often much taller, make sure someone is there to hold it steady!
If you are going to process the flowers, to produce a particular product, it is best to use the flowers on the day of gathering. If you intend to dry your elderflower this should be done in a warm, well-ventilated area. As part of a small Dewis Gwyllt trial flowers were hung in ‘Garlands’ in a small room of a house during the summer and took about 5 days to fully dry, with some of the harvest spoiling due to mould growth. Hence, use of a polytunnel or, even better, a dehydrator is preferable. Be careful not to disturb the harvest or the pollen will dissipate, reducing product potency and hence quality. Once dry, simply ‘crumble’ the dried flowers off the stems into an air-tight container, and store in a cool, dark place.
HOW TO COLLECT AND STORE ELDERFLOWER
Always obtain the landowner’s permission before harvesting.
Harvest levels should never exceed the rates at which the plant can replenish supplies and harvesting practices need to ensure plants are not damaged and remain productive and healthy, along with other species and habitats within the associated ecosystem. Click here for more information on SUSTAINBLE HARVESTING.
Equipment is simple – a basket as opposed to a bag is preferable, to prevent bruising and also allows any unseen creatures to escape, along with a walking stick to pull down harder to reach flower heads. The stems break off easily with a pinch, so secateurs are not necessary. If using a ladder, as the most abundant specimens are often much taller, make sure someone is there to hold it steady!
If you are going to process the flowers, to produce a particular product, it is best to use the flowers on the day of gathering. If you intend to dry your elderflower this should be done in a warm, well-ventilated area. As part of a small Dewis Gwyllt trial flowers were hung in ‘Garlands’ in a small room of a house during the summer and took about 5 days to fully dry, with some of the harvest spoiling due to mould growth. Hence, use of a polytunnel or, even better, a dehydrator is preferable. Be careful not to disturb the harvest or the pollen will dissipate, reducing product potency and hence quality. Once dry, simply ‘crumble’ the dried flowers off the stems into an air-tight container, and store in a cool, dark place.
FOLKLORE AND SUPERSTITIONS
There are many old stories and suggestions of what may happen to those who harm elder trees. These ‘old wives’ tales, as they were known, are often metaphors to preserve these magical species and their uses without being labelled a witch! The medicinal benefits of Elder were thought to be great, so if you harmed the plant ill fate would befall you as you would have no preventative medicine. It was thought that if you fell asleep under an Elder at midsummer you would be whisked away to the land of the Fae and unable to return, could this be the intoxicating scent of a heavily flower laden tree? Some have said planting Elder in your garden will prevent lightning strikes, somehow! Here in Wales leaves of the Elder were kept indoors to ward off witches. Many cultures in the Northern hemisphere claim the Elder tree to be sacred as it houses the spirit of the Elder Mother, Hylde Moer queen of the underworld who has the ability to protect or harm, a reference to the fruit and stalks of this remarkable plant or a real spirit? Either way this plant demands respect and rightly so!
Should you have any queries relating to Dewis Gwyllt research please CONTACT US.
FOLKLORE AND SUPERSTITIONS
There are many old stories and suggestions of what may happen to those who harm elder trees. These ‘old wives’ tales, as they were known, are often metaphors to preserve these magical species and their uses without being labelled a witch! The medicinal benefits of Elder were thought to be great, so if you harmed the plant ill fate would befall you as you would have no preventative medicine. It was thought that if you fell asleep under an Elder at midsummer you would be whisked away to the land of the Fae and unable to return, could this be the intoxicating scent of a heavily flower laden tree? Some have said planting Elder in your garden will prevent lightning strikes, somehow! Here in Wales leaves of the Elder were kept indoors to ward off witches. Many cultures in the Northern hemisphere claim the Elder tree to be sacred as it houses the spirit of the Elder Mother, Hylde Moer queen of the underworld who has the ability to protect or harm, a reference to the fruit and stalks of this remarkable plant or a real spirit? Either way this plant demands respect and rightly so!
Should you have any queries relating to Dewis Gwyllt research please CONTACT US.