Last Updated on January 28, 2023 by Ellen Christian
Have you ever tried to make elderflower tea? When most people think of tea, they think of the traditional black tea or green tea they buy at the grocery store. But, there are all sorts of herbal teas that you can make as well.
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Make Elderflower Tea
You can make elderflower tea if you have an elder tree in your yard. You make the tea from fresh flower petals.
Of course, if it’s off-season or you don’t have an elder tree, you can make elderflower tea from dried elderflowers as well.
So, you’re probably familiar with elderberry syrup which is used to help boost your immune system. These elderberries come from the elder tree as well.
If you have an elder tree, do not pick off all of the elderflowers or you will not get any elderberries. Leave some so that you can harvest the elderberries later in the season.
Where do elderflowers grow?
Elderflowers grow on a bush or tree depending on how large you let it grow. It can grow as large as your house if you don’t keep it pruned.
You can plant one if you would like to have one to harvest each year. Or, you can probably find them along the roads or in parks depending on where you live.
We have a small one in our back yard.
What is elderflower tea good for?
Just like you take the elderberry syrup at the first sign of a cold, elderflower tea can be used for sinuses, colds, and the flu. Talk to your physician to see if it’s a good choice for you before you try it.
Elderflower tea is also high in Vitamin C. It’s a very simple process to make elderflower tea.
What does elderflower tea taste like?
Elderflower tea is a very light summertime tea. It’s a very crisp, clean taste that has just a hint of sweetness.
If you’re not used to drinking plain herbal teas, you can add a bit of raw, local honey to yours.
Are elderflowers poisonous?
No, the FLOWERS are not poisonous. However, the seeds, leaves, branches, and bark are poisonous. They contain a toxin that can make you sick.
The berries can only be used when they are thoroughly cooked which destroys the cyanogen glycosides. You can make elderflower tea without a problem but do not include the branches or twigs in your preparation.
If you’d prefer, you can buy the tea and elderberry syrup already made.
Can I make this ahead of time?
You should really make this tea right before you drink it. There are no preservatives.
And, storing it can run the risk of bacteria growing in your tea. If you must make it ahead of time, freeze it and reheat it when you want to drink it.
But, be sure that you don’t bring it to a boil. That will destroy the flavor.
Other elderflower recipes
If you want to try a few more recipes, why not try these:
More ways to make tea
If you love tea as part of your self-care routine, you might want to try a few of these:
- How to make sun tea safely
- How to choose green tea for quality
- Benefits of ginger tea
- Energy-boosting detox tea
- Grandma’s iced rhubarb tea
- Rose hips tea for stomach upsets
- How to make lilac lemonade
How to make elderflower tea
- To make elderflower tea from fresh elderflowers simply gather a few bunches of the fresh flowers.
- Trim the flowers down to their smallest stems, as the stems are not considered safe for consumption and can be toxic.
- If you’d rather, you can also pick off the flower petals instead and use them that way.
- Bring a pot of water to boil.
- Place your elderflowers in a large teapot or mason jar.
- Pour the boiling water over your fresh flowers and let steep for 10-15 minutes.
- Enjoy your fresh pot of elderflower tea.
Tips:
*When collecting your elderflowers, shake out any bugs that may be hiding. You can also allow them to sit for an hour or so after harvesting to allow any critters to crawl out.
You don’t want to rinse your flowers because you’ll lose all the benefits of the pollen, which is the best part!
Related Reading
Make Elderflower Tea from Fresh Flower Petals
Make Elderflower Tea from Fresh Flower Petals
Ingredients
- Elderflowers
- Boiling water
- 1/2 tsp Sugar to taste if desired
Instructions
- To make elderflower tea from fresh elderflowers simply gather a few bunches of the fresh flowers.
- Trim the flowers down to their smallest stems, as the stems are not considered safe for consumption and can be toxic.
- If you'd rather, you can also pick off the flower petals instead and use them that way.
- Bring a pot of water to boil.
- Place your elderflowers in a large teapot or mason jar.
- Pour the boiling water over your fresh flowers and let steep for 10-15 minutes.
- Enjoy your fresh pot of elderflower tea.
Notes
When collecting your elderflowers, shake out any bugs that may be hiding. You can also allow them to sit for an hour or so after harvesting to allow any critters to crawl out. You don’t want to rinse your flowers because you’ll lose all the benefits of the pollen, which is the best part!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 8Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 10mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 2gProtein: 0g
Ellen is a busy mom of a 24-year-old son and 29-year-old daughter. She owns six blogs and is addicted to social media. She believes that it doesn’t have to be difficult to lead a healthy life. She shares simple healthy living tips to show busy women how to lead fulfilling lives. If you’d like to work together, email info@confessionsofanover-workedmom.com to chat.
