Instructions
- Remove thick primary base stems from elderberry clusters (optional but recommended). Then place elderberry clusters into top chamber of steam juicer.
- Pour water into base of steam juicer and place on burner over high heat on stovetop.
- Set timer for 30 minutes. (Once water reaches a bowl, it takes about 20-25 minutes for all the elderberry juice to be extracted.)
- Remove steam juicer from heat. ...
How do you drink elderberry juice?
Drink the elderberry juice as is or dilute it with water or other fruit juices if desired. Use a blender or food processor to puree the cooked elderberries, or juice the cooked berries with a juicer. Use a fine cheese cloth instead of a strainer to separate the skin from the juice of the berries.
Is it safe to juice elderberries raw?
I wasn’t even deterred when I learned that elderberry juice is toxic when consumed raw. I was determined to juice them raw to keep the seeds intact, and then cook the juice to destroy the toxin. I tried and failed with a chinois sieve, food mill and fruit press.
Do you have it both ways with elderberries?
It turns out, you really can’t have it both ways with elderberries. I wasn’t even deterred when I learned that elderberry juice is toxic when consumed raw. I was determined to juice them raw to keep the seeds intact, and then cook the juice to destroy the toxin.
What part of the elderberry plant do you steam juice?
Before steam juicing elderberries, we cut off the large base stems that hold up the berry clusters. This allows for more room in the steam juicer and reduces the risk of cyanogenic glycosides being steamed out of the larger vegetative parts of the plant.
Ingredients
Fruit - fresh elderberries - any quantity - the crunch down some, so you'll need about 1 and 1/4 pints raw per pint jar finished.
Equipment
Jar grabber (to pick up the hot jars)- Big box stores and grocery stores sometimes carry them; and it is available online - see this page. It's a tremendously useful to put jars in the canner and take the hot jars out (without scalding yourself!). The kit sold below has everything you need, and at a pretty good price:
Home Canning Kits
See the seller's website for more information, features, pricing and user reviews!
Answers to Common Questions
Why should cooked juice be made in small batches? If a larger quantity of juice is used, it will be necessary to boil it longer thus causing loss of flavor, darkening of juice, and toughening of juice. It really doesn't work. Trust me; I've tried many times!
Why Elderberries?
Elderberries are native shrubs that grow in North America and Europe. People have traditionally been using both the flowers and the berries in many recipes. Elderflowers and berries are valued to treat the common cold, flu, constipation, hay fever, and sinus infections ( source ).
How to find Elderberries
It’s easiest to spot the plants in the spring when they’re full of flowers. If you’re anything like my, you have a map where you mark their locations. Or you simply remember! You may be surprised that people guard elderberry bush locations like a big secret, though.
What you need for making Elderberry Juice
Over the years, I have found that a steam juicer works best. There are various models out there. Decades ago, I used a hand-me-down aluminum one that I don’t recommend anymore. Stainless steel is a much better option.
How to Extract the Elderberry Juice
Using this steam juicer, you simply fill the bottom pan with water. You don’t want to fill it all the way. However, if you’re steaming for a while you need to check the water level periodically. I have heard that people put glass marbles in the bottom pan.
How to enjoy Elderberry Juice
As you may have noticed, we prefer to not add any sweetener to the juice. We like to do that when we actually consume it.
Soil pH affects the pH of the fruit
It’s very likely that wild elderberries grown in areas with naturally acidic soil that has not been limed, will have a natural pH below 4.6.
Canning Elderberry Juice at Home Safely
Some elderberry varieties have a higher pH than the 4.6 recommended for safe water bath canning at home. Increasing the acidity of elderberry juice can improve the safety of home canned elderberry juice, jam, and jelly to prevent the growth of botulism.
Fore-warned is fore-armed
There are some alarmist reactions coming out of some university extension offices this year telling people NOT to can elderberry jam, elderberry juice, or elderberry syrup for winter at all but instead consider garden elderberries ornamental shrubs only. Like this one.
Do cook elderberries before eating them
When raw, they do look appetizing. Their dark, glossy skin makes them look a lot like grapes or black currants. The appetizing look is deceptive since raw elderberries don’t really have much going for them in terms of taste. They are tart and astringent and offer little complexity.
Do store your elderberries properly
The best way to store elderberries long-term is to freeze them. Of course, you will want to wash them first. If you have elderberries still attached to their stems, freeze them on the stem then pick them off and place them into freezer bags.
Do mash elderberries gently
Mashing the berries is a good way to separate the pulp from the seeds without damaging the exteriors of the seeds. If the seeds are damaged, they will release their toxins. Mash elderberries after boiling them and do it gently so that you don’t break the seeds.
Do combine elderberries with spices and other strong flavors
Elderberries bring tartness along with some nutritional value, what they don’t bring is a strong or distinctive flavor. The most common applications for elderberries include pies, syrups, and jams all of which can benefit from the addition of spices like cinnamon or citrus zest.