Elderberry flowers are blooming! The fragrant flowers and berries are the only edible part of the plant. The flowers will turn into berries, but have many great uses from tea that breaks fevers to fritters. They are mildly toxic and have an unpleasant taste when raw.
Cooking destroys the toxic chemicals and makes them absolutely delicious. The flowers are excellent additions to deserts, ice cream and cakes.
Additionally, you can make elderflower vinegar, elderflower jelly, elderflower champagne, and even a cordial. Dried, I mix them with yarrow flowers to help break a fever.
Happy foraging friends!
