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We are coming to the end of our cold and flu season but people are still getting sick. I like to keep my family healthy by making use of Elderberries.
Not familiar with the benefits of Elderberries?
Helps prevent colds and flu
Immunity booster
Reduces the length of colds and flu
Kills 10 strains of influenza
Elderberries are amazing!
The most common way to take Elderberries is through Elderberry Syrup. You can buy this at the store but it will cost a small fortune with the average price being $18.00 for just 8oz!!!
In a previous post, I shared how to make your own Elderberry Syrup using dried Elderberries! Homemade costs closer to $2.00 for 8oz!
Get the Most From Those Dried Elderberries!
Just that one batch of Elderberry Syrup is great and well worth the money. However, I’m a penny pincher and I like to reuse my tea bags.
What does reusing tea bags have to do with Elderberries? Making Elderberry Syrup is a lot like making tea; boil water, add berries, steep, and strain.
I decided to make those dried Elderberries work even harder by reusing them in a second batch!
Now this second batch of Elderberry “Tea” (as I call it) is definitely not as potent as Elderberry Syrup.
Most of the goodness of the Elderberries was used in the first batch of Elderberry Syrup. However, a second batch will still result in something worthwhile!
I usually make the Elderberry Tea right after my Elderberry Syrup and let my kids drink it on a day when they do not need a strong dose of Elderberry (when we will be staying home for example and not around germs or if they are sick and need an extra pick me up).
Reusing Elderberries to Make Elderberry Tea
Leftover Elderberries from making Elderberry Syrup – originally 1/2 cup dried
4 cups water
Honey or preferred sweetener – use as needed
Directions:
Place used Elderberries into a pot. Add 4 cups of water and bring to a boil.
Once boiling, remove from heat and let sit 10 minutes.
Allow mixture to cool a bit and then strain.
Add in sweetener and enjoy.
If you aren’t ready to drink your tea right away or you do not want 4 cups worth, I recommend storing in a mason jar in the refrigerator. When you are ready for tea, just heat it back up or drink it cold.
Dosage:
As this is nowhere near the strength of Elderberry Syrup, there really is no need for dosage.
A cup a day is what we usually do.
Not sure where to buy dried Elderberries? Here is where I usually buy mine!
Thank you for this post. I just finished making a batch of elderberry syrup and was searching for something to do with the elderberries before tossing them in the compost pile.
Be sure to wring them out well 🙂
I read on another site to save all of the ‘used’ berries in the freezer, then make more syrup/tea when you have about 2 cups worth saved. I add a scoop of Vitamin C powder to the tea; the sweet tart taste makes a refreshing ‘koolaid’ type drink when chilled.
How much water do you add to 2 cups worth of used elderberries? I
My guess would be 8 cups of water but I’m not certain. It’s 4 cups for what started as 1/2 cup dried elderberries (they obviously expand after making elderberry syrup but I’ve not bothered to measure them)
I always use fresh or flash-frozen elderberries when making my syrups.
I have definitely made an infusion (tea) but prefer to make a vinegar infusion
with ACV (apple cider vinegar)
Try that sometime Brittany — makes a tasty fruity and very healthy vinegar.
Add 1.1 with some raw honey after straining again and voila!! It’s sipping vinegar!!
Can I dehydrate my elderberries after using them for syrup tincture and make a powdered form
You could but they won’t be as potent as store-bought elderberry powder.
HOw long will the tea last in the fridge
It should last 5-7 days.
Can you dry out the cooked elderberries and put it in tea bags? How would you dry them out?
Hmmm I suppose you could but it’s probably not really worth it? I’d go with a food dehydrator if I was to attempt it.
Just got through making my first batch ever of elderberry syrup. My daughter told me about it & purchased the berries. Lots of flu & sickeness going around over here, so we are going to boost our immune system. Thanks for info on reusing the berries.
I make my syrup and then take the leftover berries and redry them on lowest temp in my oven . When all dried out I just save in a jar and then add them to my metal herb tea holder (whatever that thing is called) and make a cup as needed or desired.
I put it in my Kombucha.
What was your success
I did this… wonderful!
Can you put the elderberries in your smoothie after making the syrup and tea? Is there any benefit to it or just compost them.
You can definitely put used elderberries to your smoothie. There are still some benefits (obviously not as much but there’s still some)
How does one make Elderberry Syrup from Elderberry Tea Bags??
Elderberry tea bags are often not the berries (at least I’ve found that they are usually elderflower) that said, it’d take a lot of elderBERRY tea bags to equal enough to make actual syrup. You’re better off buying the berries in bulk.
Okay so I did this, put it in a jar to store some of the leftover “tea” for later… and the next morning it has lumps like it started turning into a jello/jam. Any idea what happened??
Oh that’s really interesting. Did you strain the elderberries out of the “tea”. I’ve not had any jello/jam issues before.
Are the seeds in any way dangerous to eat after the elderberries have been cooked in the syrup?
If not, couldn’t they be used in baking berry bread, pancakes and muffins?
Nope, once cooked they are ok to use in baked goods. 🙂