ELDERBERRY

DIY Elderberry Syrup Kit - Contains

• Enough dried elderberries to make 28 oz of elderberry syrup

• Enough Organic Dried Ginger, Organic Dried Cloves and Organic Ceylon Cinnamon for approximately 28 oz of elderberry syrup

Method #1 Elderberry Syrup (requires accurate thermometer) (this is my preferred method, read disclaimer at end)

1. Put dried Berries into a little more than 2 cups of water let soak 30 minutes

2. Lightly Heat (avoid scorching berries on bottom of pan) water and berries to 140*F (stir often) and hold for 10 minutes.

3. Let cool enough to handle.

4. Strain and press berries. Can be done straining through a tea towel and ringing out liquid back into pot or just a fine strainer and spoon pressing liquid from berries.

5. Measure amount of juice…you want 2 cups of pressed juice. If a little short add to make 2 cups. If a little over don’t worry.

6. Add approximately 2 – 4 table spoons of lemon juice if desired.

   1. Will add to storage time…in my opinion tastes good too.

7. Raise temp to 180*F and hold for ten minutes

   1. Add 1.5 cups honey or other sweetener of your choice.

      1. Stir until dissolved to avoid scorching on bottom of pot

   2. If using any spices put in spice bag and add during heating.

8. After heating to 180*F and holding ten minutes

   1. Transfer into container of your choice.

   2. Let cool and store in refrigerator.

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    The first heating step is designed to release all the antioxidants from the pulp and skin of the berry into the juice. This process also deactivates any of the cyanogenic glycosides that maybe present in the seeds or any stems that were not removed making your elderberry syrup health, nutritious and safe to consume.

    The amount of water you add to the berries will vary depending on how humid your area is, the level of moisture present in the berries, and your ability to extract all the liquid from the berries.  Do not worry if you come up short a little just add to balance to reach 2 cups / 100 grams of dried berries. If you’ve purchased my kit it comes with 100 grams of dried berries.

Please play around with the recipe you can add or subtract any ingredient you want.

    Elderberry Syrup can easily be made shelf stable however because elderberries are a low acid food, I do not recommend doing it until you understand the safe way to process low acid foods. This requires accurate temperature control, addition and measurement of an acid to acidify the syrup and understanding of hot process or proper water bath canning methods. In the meantime, experiment and enjoy, Elderberry syrup doesn’t really last in my house long enough to spoil. My wife and kids all enjoy it we even feed the left-over berries to our dogs, cats, and chickens. There are numerous benefits for them too.