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Elderberries Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to elderberries
The dark elderberry is a sweet treat when added to cakes, pies, and syrups. Instacart makes it easy to get elderberries delivered to your home, often on the same day. Use the Instacart app to order elderberries, and our dedicated shoppers will do the rest. With Instacart, you can enjoy fast, contact-free pickup or delivery in as little as 2 hours!
About elderberries
Elderberries are small, deep blue-black berries that grow in clusters on bushes. Native to Europe, the two most common elderberry species are the European elderberry and the American Elderberry. The elderberry is related to honeysuckle and has grown wild for centuries across Europe and North America. Although traditionally foraged, many farms are now growing elderberries for sale in supermarkets. Oregon is the biggest producer of elderberries in the United States. The peak season for elderberries is from August to October.
How to pick out elderberries
Ripe elderberries are deep blue, purple, or almost black. Elderberries should be slightly soft and plump. Avoid green, pale purple, or hard berries, as these can make you ill. Ripe elderberries produce deep purple juice, while unripe berries produce juice that is pale and watery.
How to prepare elderberries
It is not advisable to eat raw elderberries, as they can cause stomach upset and be poisonous in large quantities. Raw berries contain several toxic substances, such as lectin and cyanide, that cause stomach issues, including nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. These compounds are especially prevalent in unripe berries. Cooking the elderberry eliminates these toxins, making them safe to eat.
When cooking with elderberries, be sure to remove all traces of leaves, stems, and bark, as these are toxic. The small stems in elderberry clusters can be challenging to remove. Use the prongs of a fork to remove fresh elderberries from their small stems. You can also freeze elderberries before processing. Frozen elderberries pop off their stems easily.Â
Cooked elderberries are used in a variety of uniquely sweet-tart products. Elderberries can be cooked with sugar to create a sweet, floral jam similar to blackberry preserves. Elderberries can be boiled down with water and sugar to create a thick, deep purple syrup. Elderberry syrup is a tasty addition to pancakes, ice cream, baked goods, and cocktails. Elderberries can be added to quick breads and pies. Elderberries are also used to create elderberry wine. Elderberry sauce adds sweetness to wild game. Elderberries can also be dried in an electric dehydrator or oven and then eaten like raisins.
Elderberries pair well with other autumn fruits, such as apples, plums, and pears. Complimentary flavors include brown sugar, maple syrup, nuts, vanilla, coffee, and chocolate.
Elderberries Near Me
Buy your favorite Elderberries online with Instacart. Order Elderberries from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about elderberries
Fresh elderberries have a short shelf life. If using within a few days, keep your elderberries in the refrigerator crisper set to low humidity. If you have lots of elderberries or are stockpiling elderberries for use in a recipe, freezing is the best way to lock in flavor and prevent spoilage. To freeze elderberries:
Alternately, remove the elderberries from their stems and freeze them on a large baking tray. Once frozen, place the berries in a plastic freezer bag. This method prevents the berries from clumping together in the freezer.
Drying elderberries is also a great way to preserve elderberries. Once dried, elderberries should be stored in a sealed jar away from sunlight and heat—store elderberry syrup in the refrigerator, where it will stay fresh for several months.
Fans of the elderberry have enjoyed foraging for the berry for centuries. Although commercially grown elderberries are still uncommon, it is much safer to buy them in a supermarket instead of foraging. Unless you are familiar with the various kinds of elderberries, you could end up with berries that will make you very sick. Even the berries from the European elderberry and the American Elderberry are toxic when unripe. Buying your elderberries off the supermarket shelves ensures that you get berries that are ripe and safe for consumption.
The elderberry has been used in folk medicine since ancient times. Elderberries were used to treat coughs, colds, flu, and stomach issues. Although the popularity of elderberry in natural medicine is seeing a resurgence, there is not enough scientific research to support the effectiveness and safety of such uses. Always consult with a trusted medical professional before making decisions about your health.