Picking elderberries »This is how you do everything right

Recognize ripe elderberries

Under normal weather conditions the Ripening time from Elderberries from the beginning of August to the middle of September. The fruits dangle from the branches in dense, enticing grapes. Since they contain poisonous sambunigrin in their immature state, you should assess their state of maturity based on the following criteria:

• the berries are colored blue-black to purple-black
• there is no reddish shimmer to be seen
• red elderberries have no green spots

To be absolutely sure that the berries are fully ripe, put on gloves and mash the berries. If a burgundy red juice comes out, all concerns can be put aside.

Instructions for correct picking

If the maturity test is satisfactory, put on gloves and old clothing. Elderberry juice causes stains that are difficult to remove. Therefore, a basket lined with plastic film is an ideal means of transport for the harvest. How to do it right:

• Cut off a complete umbel with scissors
• Pick out a few unripe berries
• Rinse the harvest thoroughly under a water shower
• Comb the berries from each umbel over a kitchen sieve with a fork

Plan the harvest in such a way that you then have enough time for further processing. Elderberries do not have a long shelf life and quickly enter into an undesirable fermentation process. If you cannot boil down the fruit immediately, freeze the entire cones until then.

Stone the red elderberries

The fruits of the red elder contain kernels, their Poisonous content through Cook not decomposed. It is therefore essential to stone them before preparing them.