Elderflowers are strongly scented with an unusual flavour. Elderflower cordial is a thirst quenching summer drink.
Elder-flowers combine well with gooseberries.
gooseberry and elderflower
Add elderflowers to the gooseberries as they cook, to allow the unusual flavour of the elderflower to blend with the gooseberries. Make sure there are no insects in the flowers by placing the elder-flowers in water, to let the insects escape and come to the surface of the water. Then the water and insects can be poured off.
The gooseberry and elderflower is a classic combination of flavours and works well with:
- gooseberry and elderflower jam
- gooseberry and elderflower ice-cream
- gooseberry and elderflower pies, tarts and crumbles
- gooseberry and elderflower drinks
Elderberry bushes flower in June. The Latin name of the Elder is Sambucus Nigra.
elderberry bush in flower
elderflowers
The flat flower heads (called umbrells) are made up of many tiny cream-white flowers.
flowering elder
Elderflowers appear in late May or early June in the UK.