Elderberry nutrition facts

Elderberry nutrition facts

• Tiny, round elderberry is the storehouse of health benefiting anthocyanin antioxidants. Early settlers of North America were well acquainted to the medicinal uses of elder flowers and berries long before the Spanish and other European exploreres re-discovered about its uses. These small round blue-purple berries have long been attributed to the longevity and wellness of indigenous natives around arctic regions of Northern hemisphere.
• Scientific name: Sambucca nigra. L.
• Elderberry is actually a small, deciduous tree that grows up to 7 to 10 meters in height. However, under the cultivated orchards, their height intentionally limited for few meters to help lateral spread and increase fruit production. The plant starts flowering during second year of plantation and fruiting in its third year. White or cream flowers in clusters cover the plant during early summer. Small, round, 8 to 10 mm black or purple berries appear subsequently which can be ready for harvesting by June and the season lasts until September. At maturity, the berries in clusters hang upside down as the stem often bent under the weight. A single cluster may hold hundreds of berries. Harvesting is done by hand.
• European elderberries (S. nigra) or black elder are intensely tart and rarely edible raw. American elder (S. canadensis) or common elder are relatively sweeter and tart. Only Blue or purple elders are edible and other color variants are just avoided for their possible toxicity.
• Both species require well-drained sandy, nitrogen rich soil to flourish. Just as in blueberry shrub, it too prefers open sunny conditions and intolerant of shade. In general, the berries can be ready for harvesting when they turn completely black or deep purple, and soft.

Health benefits of elderberry 

• 100 g of fresh elderberries carry 73 calories. These tiny berries possess several noteworthy health benefiting plant-nutrients such as pigment flavonoid anti-oxidants, anthocyanins, minerals, and vitamins that contribute immensely towards robust health and wellness.
• The berries posess one of the highest anti-oxidant strength among edible berries. ORAC value of 100 g fresh eldeberry is 10775 TE (Trolex equivalents), whereas it is only 5562 TE for blueberries. Just as in blueberries, their antioxidant value too largely comes from poly-phenolic flavonoid compounds such as flavonoids isorhamnetin, kaempferol, quercetin, etc. Together, these compounds help scavenge free-oxygen radicals from the human body, and thereby, protect it from cancers, aging, degenerative diseases, and infections.
• Fresh elderberries are an excellent sources of vitamin-C. 100 g carry 36 mg or 60% of the daily recommended intake levels of vitamin-C. Vitamin-C is one of the powerful water-soluble natural antioxidants which works against flu-infections. It also helps boost immunity, wound-healing, fight against cancers and required by the body in the development of tissues and cartilage.
• Elderberries are also incredible sources of vitamin-A (provide 600 IU or 20% of RDA per 100 g), several times more than that of in other berries (54 IU/100 g),chokeberry (214 IU/100 g), etc. Vitamin A is an essential nutrient required for maintaining healthy mucusa and skin and is required for good eye-health. Consumption of natural fruits rich in flavonoids and vitamin-A may help protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
• The berries also carry relatively good amount of B-complex group of vitamins such as niacin, pyridoxine (18% RDI /100g), folates and pantothenic acid. These vitamins work as co-factors for those enzymes that help in the metabolism of carbohydrates, protein, and fats.
• Furthermore, they contain good amount of minerals like calcium, potassium, manganese, iron and phosphorus. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Copper is required for the production of red blood cells. Iron is required for red blood cell formation.

Medicinal uses of elderberry

• Only flower and ripe berries of elder plant are edible. Other plant parts including its bark, leaf, and root carry high levels of toxin alkaloids and should be avoided.
• Berries and flower too found use in several traditional medicines around the world. Elderberry flower cordial has been a common household remedy for flu symptoms.
• Its fruit extraction found its utility as anti-catarrhal (prevents cold), expectorant (anti-tussive), circulatory stimulant, and topical anti-inflammatory actions.

Selection and storage

• Elderberry season lasts from June until September in the US and Europe. Harvesting is done by handpicking. In general, the whole cluster of berries separated from the bush. These clusters then can be kept inside the refrigerator for extended utility. In the farmer markets, you may find processed, de-stemmed ready to use elderberries put for sale. In general, the berries intended to make jelly, syrup, etc were bought by the potential customers or small scale fruit processors. Unlike other berries and large sized fruits, raw elderberries grab lesser attention because of their small size and intense tart flavor.
• In the stores, look for fresh berries that are well ripen, plump, intact, black/purple berries. Avoid red elderberries. Also avoid very soft or shriveled, over-handled, bruised berries and those with signs of mold and of old stock.

Preparation and serving tips

• Elderberries have bitter tasting stem, firmly attaching at top end as in cherries which must be separated before use. To make this work ease, the whole cluster of berries kept inside the freezer to harden them which then are separated from the panicle by stripping or shaking off. The other great way is to comb the panicle using a fork. Thus prepared berries are then either re-frozen for later use or thawed for immediate processing.
• Elderberries carry sweet yet extremely tart flavor and therefore, preferred only after cooked.

Here are some serving tips:

• Elderberry flower cordial is a favorite summer season refreshing drink across the Europe.
• The berries can be employed in the preparation of jam, jelly, syrup, and concentrates.
• Cold elderberry soup is a popular summer season drink in the Gemany.
• Dry elderberries found their use in cakes, pie, summer pudding, crumbles, muffins, etc.
• Elderflower/dried berry tea is a special drink across the Europe.

Safety profile

• Elderberries of blue/purple and black varieties of S. Canadensis and S. nigra only can be edible. Red elders (Sambucus racemosa) are quite poisonous and therefore avoided. Elderberry leaves, roots, stems carry cyanidin alkaloid compound which when consumed may produce nausea, vomiting, and neurological symptoms.