Elderberry: One of Monterey Bay’s Favorite Native Treats

Monterey County nurtures an impressive array of native plants, including the delicious elderberry and elderflower. Have you ever sampled this tart berry and delicate edible flower ?

As something of “elderfans” ourselves, this blog will provide some basic elderberry information and facts about elderflowers. We will also share some of our favorite recipes and local products made from our friends at Carmel Berry Company.

Elderberry Basics

An elderberry is a small, dark blue or purple berry that’s jam packed with antioxidants that help with boosting our immune system. Consumption of the berry dates back hundreds of years, but nowadays, consumers seek the berry for its aid in cold and flu-like symptoms.

Like so many other options in life, it is possible to have too much of a good thing when it comes to how frequently and how much elderberry you consume. Try one teaspoon of Carmel Berry Company’s Elderberry Syrup to keep your immune system vigorous.

If you’re going straight for the berry itself, be aware that the bark of the Sambucus tree or the consumption of an unripe berry could lead to indigestion issues. While not fatal and easy to avoid so long as you cook the berry (and avoid the bark), it may just be easier to let the professionals like those over at Carmel Berry Company create the heavenly and succulent syrup for you.

Elderflower Basics

Elderberry and elderflower actually come from the same plant, and represent its different growth stages. While consuming raw elderberries or other parts of the bark or leaves can be poisonous, the elderflower is an aromatic, light blossom that creates a floral and balanced flavor.

This little flower is prized for its delicate, sunshine-y flavor as well as its health benefits. Some of these benefits can be cooked out, so stay aware of that, as well.
Health benefits include ailment for influenza and the common cold, but can additionally be used as a topical for joint pain and inflammation. Safe as a topical and as an edible? Yeah, we’re here for that.

Simple Elderberry and Elderflower Recipes

Elderberry Pineapple Smoothie Photo via Carmel Berry Company

Don’t limit yourself to drinking elderberry cordials or syrups straight up. If taking a spoonful of elderberry syrup straight to the face doesn’t sound like something you’d like to do on a daily basis, add some vodka and soda to it for a simple cocktail.

The flavors of elderberry and elderflower lend themselves beautifully to mocktails too. We recommend this Elderberry Pineapple Smoothie for any warm day.
Those of you with a sweet tooth may also enjoy this Elderflower Strawberry Shortcake as well. This ingredient, a native plant growing wild in Monterey County, provides a bright and tart flavor to so many drinks, baked goods, and more.

Buy Local Elder Products

Our good friends over at Carmel Berry Company have a great online store that includes all of their preserves, syrups, and cordials that we offer in our Monterey Bay Foodie Totes.

This innovative, woman-owned small business continues to add to their diverse array of high quality elderberry products. Their newest product is Eldie, immune-supporting gummy supplements. Carmel Berry Company also offers fresh-pressed elderberry supplements, elderflower-pluot preserves, and elderflower comfort tea in their online store.

For a curated selection of elderberry and elderflower products, along with a wide selection of other Monterey-exclusive edible goodies, check out our Monterey Bay Food Tour foodie totes.

Do you love the elderplant as much as we do? Any recipes of your own you’d like to share with us? Let us know what you think in our comments!

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