Elder

The elder is a plant originally from Syria, spreading throughout Europe, South East Asia and north-west Africa. A bush with many branches and regularly serrated leaves can be found in sparsely wooded areas, and hedges and is often planted alongside village houses. Its scent, when it flowers in June-July, is lovely, thanks to the essential oil its flowers contain. In traditional medicine, elderflowers are used for their diuretic and purifying properties. In cooking, all parts are used – the bark, leaves, flowers and fruits. The flowers are eaten fried and add a nutmeg-like flavour when fermented with wine.