Tangwystl Cottage - respecting the Elder ... berry flowers

in #homesteading6 years ago

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(background via Pixabay)

Even though I've lived on this property for a number of years now, it was only recently that I twigged to what a goldmine I had growing along the boundary fence - Elderberry trees!
(fyi: Latin - Sambucus)

So this past season I planned to harvest some of the flowers to have a go at making the cordial or wine (heck, or both), then some of the dark berries to make a vitamin C-packed syrup and possibly jam.
Bonus is that they will be organic.

I managed to get some of the flowers - and, btw, they stink! - but because we had a drought over summer the birds were extra thirsty and devoured all the berries before I could nab any myself. A bit of a setback to my plans, but nature has to look after its own, and there is always next season.

One of the two trees I have. It grows more like a giant bushy thing.
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I suspect this tree, from the state of the woody parts, is getting hammered by bugs so I need to begin growing some cuttings for replacement trees soon.

Up close - the flowers are so delicate and pretty. But still stinky (to my refined olfactory senses at least).
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I think I spotted a Hoverfly busy at work.
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I took this shot a bit later in the season, as the flowers had finished and the tree was busy berry-ing up. All that potential - yum!
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I made sure to choose a good morning to harvest some flowers, at about 10 am - optimal time, they say, for picking stuff. The dew has dried off but the insects are not yet in full working mode.
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I love my harvesting basket! It's just a simple cane gift basket I picked up while browsing through the local charity shops, but its done a great job so far holding all manner of fruit & veg as I pick them.
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Back inside, I simply popped the flower heads into freezer bags and then into the freezer to be used at a later date. I think the recipe calls for about 25 heads so that's what I popped into each bag. The tiny flowers made quite a mess as they dropped off.
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This is the cordial recipe I've decided to test out when I am organised not feeling lazy ready:
https://www.rivercottage.net/recipes/elderflower-cordial
Although I would dispute their flower scent description of "fresh and pleasing" lol. Perhaps I am just too sensitive?

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(extra tags: #homemade #drinks #harvest #garden #organicgardening #organic #photography #selfsufficiency #newzealand)

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Wow you are so lucky to have those trees! There are so many things you can make with the flowers and the berries. I remember watching Elderflower champagne made on the River Cottage show. My Aunty @maorinesian is looking to make Elderflower cider soon. I've had some of her Apple and Feijoa Cider and it was really good!
I love your harvesting basket as well what an awesome find!

Thank you :)

I can't believe I wasted so many years not realising what I had growing here! slaps self up back of head, lol

I've watched a lot of the River Cottage shows, but don't remember an Elderflower one so I need to chase that up. Hugh is a legend!!

I imagine you will be volunteering as a taste-tester for this cider? ;)
Remind your aunty that now she is on Steemit, to photograph & document everything because it could potentially become an interesting post!

There's some scents (are there number thresholds for things like smells like there are with colours? XD) that people seem to perceive differently. Like occasionally I've been confused and smelled something which I initially registered as unpleasant but turned out to be some kind of food that I would normally eat (I have no idea what was going on with the baking process x_x). It's also entirely possible I just need more sleep XD

goatsig

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