September and October is harvest time for elderberries. There are a few things to keep in mind, because burst fruit causes intense discoloration. So that no mistakes creep in when picking, we will inform you here about the best technology.
Harvest elderberries early
Finding the right time to harvest is a balancing act. On the one hand, unripe elderberries are still poisonous even after cooking, on the other hand, the fruits are discarded together with the leaves in autumn. So keep a close eye on your black elderberry. Black-purple berries should no longer shimmer reddish. The red fruits of other species should no longer have green spots.
Tips for correct picking
Once the date for the harvest has been set, gather the working materials. You will need a sharp knife, a fork and a plastic bag or basket lined with plastic. In addition, work gloves are essential due to the toxin content of the entire plant. Disposable gloves, on the other hand, give you more sensitive dexterity. How to bring in the berry harvest:
- cut off a complete umbel with the knife
- Discard any unripe elderberries
- transport into the house in the bag or in the basket
- Put on disposable gloves now at the latest
- rinse the umbels under running water
- spread out a sheet of plastic to protect against discoloration
- Scrape the berries on top with a fork
The fork acts like a comb and makes the harvesting process quicker than picking each individual berry. Fresh elderberries do not keep for a long time. It is therefore advisable to start preparing immediately.
tips and tricks
No time to boil the elderberries right after harvesting? Then quickly freeze the entire cones to process them at a later date. When frozen, the fruit is easier to shake off anyway and doesn't cause ugly stains.