Elderflower consists of the delicate, creamy-white blossoms of the Elder tree (Sambucus nigra). They are famous for their sweet, floral aroma and are commonly used to make teas, cordials, and desserts.
Elderflower tea has a very unique and pleasant flavour. It is light, sweet, and wonderfully floral, with subtle notes of lychee, pear, and tropical fruit. It's a very refreshing and aromatic brew.
It's best to steep 1-2 teaspoons of dried elderflowers in a cup of hot (not boiling) water for 5-10 minutes. It's important to cover the cup while it steeps to trap all the fragrant volatile oils.
Yes, Elderflower tea is a herbal tea (tisane) and is naturally 100% caffeine-free, making it a wonderful, soothing beverage for any time of day or evening.
They both come from the same plant, the Elder tree (Sambucus nigra). The Elderflower is the delicate, sweet, white blossom that appears in spring. If left on the tree, these flowers turn into the Elderberry, which is a dark purple, tart berry harvested in autumn.
Yes, while fresh flowers are often used, dried elderflowers work very well for making cordials and syrups. You can infuse them into a hot simple syrup (sugar and water) along with lemon, then strain them out.
