Harvesting Elderberries: How (and When) to Collect and Preserve This Immune-Boosting Fruit

Co-authored by Artemisia Nursery and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: August 27, 2021 References

Are you a fan of elderberries? While not as well-known as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, this fruit is a delicious, nutritious home remedy used to treat colds and flus.^{[1]
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Trustworthy Source
Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} Unfortunately, raw or under-ripe elderberries are toxic, including the roots, stems, and leaves.^{[2]
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Research source} Not to worry—this fruit is perfectly safe to eat as long as you collect and prepare it properly. We’ve outlined some helpful tips and tricks to make your harvest season a little easier.

Method 1

Method 1 of 8:
Plan to harvest weekly in late summer or autumn.

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Not all your elderberries will be ripe at the same time. Instead, harvest the fruit in batches, removing only ripe berries from the tree. If you regularly prune and maintain your elderberry plants, it’ll take 2-3 weeks to collect all the ripe berries. If you’re harvesting wild, un-maintained elderberries, it’ll take 3-4 weeks.^{[3]
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- Elderberries are usually ready to harvest between August and September.^{[4]
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- It takes elderberry trees at least 2 seasons to produce fruit. If you just planted your elderberry tree, you won’t have anything to harvest for a little while.

Method 2

Method 2 of 8:
Pick berries when they’re a purple-black color.

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Unripe berries may look green or red. For your own safety, only harvest the berries when they’re completely purple-black.^{[5]
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Research source} While all raw elderberries are toxic to some extent, under-ripe berries are especially poisonous and unsafe to eat.^{[6]
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- Some elderberries might be purple-black with a reddish tint.
- As an extra precaution, crush a single berry between your fingers. If a red juice leaks out, the berries are definitely ripe.^{[7]
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- If birds are hovering around and snacking on the berries, you can safely assume that they’re ripe.

Method 3

Method 3 of 8:
Snip off berry clusters into a separate container.

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Elderberries grow close together, so it’s easier to clip them off in clusters. Place the clusters in a separate container and pull off the individual berries. Toss out the stems, along with any bugs and under-ripe berries.^{[8]
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- Another option is lightly tapping the berry cluster along the side of your container so the ripe berries fall off.

Method 4

Method 4 of 8:
Preserve the berries right away.

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Elderberries go bad very quickly. As soon as you collect your berries, make a plan to either refrigerate, freeze, or dry them out.^{[9]
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Research source} You could also turn your berries into a home cold remedy, like syrup.^{[10]
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Method 5

Method 5 of 8:
Refrigerate the berries for up to 3 days.

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Keep your refrigerator between 35 and 40 °F (2 and 4 °C). It won’t keep your berries fresh for long, but it’ll work in a pinch if you plan on using the berries right away.^{[11]
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Research source} Just transfer your berries to a shallow container, and then wrap them up with plastic.^{[12]
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- Don’t clean off your elderberries until you’re just about to eat them. When wet, the berries will go bad more quickly.

Method 6

Method 6 of 8:
Freeze elderberries for up to a year.

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Fill a plastic, freezer-safe bag halfway full with elderberries. Seal the bag and slip in the freezer for long-term storage. You can also spread the berries along a cookie sheet and freeze them that way.^{[13]
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Trustworthy Source
University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Extension program of the University of California system devoted to educating and improving local communities
Go to source} Frozen elderberries will be good for about 10-12 months total.^{[14]
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Method 7

Method 7 of 8:
Dry or dehydrate the elderberries for long-term storage.

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Use an oven or food dehydrator to dry out your berries.^{[15]
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Research source} Arrange your berries in a dehydrator set to 250 °F (121 °C).^{[16]
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Research source} Then, let the fruit dry for about 10 hours. If you don’t have a dehydrator, set your oven to 140 °F (60 °C) or lower, and slip a tray full of berries inside. Open the oven door around 2 to 6 in (5.1 to 15.2 cm), so the berries dry without actually cooking.^{[17]
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Research source}It’ll take about 1 day for your elderberries to dry out in the oven.^{[18]
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- Store the dried berries in an airtight container, keeping them in a cool, dry area.^{[19]
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  Research source} While there isn’t a specific storage recommendation for dried elderberries, the USDA suggests storing dried fruit for up to 6 months. Slip the container into the refrigerator to give it an extra shelf life of 6 months.^{[20]
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Method 8

Method 8 of 8:
Cook or dry elderberries before eating them.

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Raw elderberries are toxic, and can make you sick. However, the berries are perfectly safe to eat once you’ve either cooked or dried them.^{[21]
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Research source} To cook your elderberries, combine 1 cup (145 g) of elderberries in a saucepan with 3 c (710 mL) of water. Set the berries over high heat until the mixture starts boiling. Then, turn down the heat and let the elderberries simmer until the water reduces by 50%.^{[22]
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Community Q&A

Question

How do you clip elderberry plants?

Artemisia Nursery
Plant Nursery & Garden Shop
Artemisia Nursery is a retail plant nursery in Northeast Los Angeles specializing in California native plants. Artemisia Nursery is a worker-owned small business with plans to become a worker-owned cooperative. In addition to California native plants, Artemisia Nursery offers a selection of succulents, heirloom veggie and herb starts, house plants, pottery, and gardening tools and supplies. Drawing on the knowledge of the founders, Artemisia Nursery also offers consultations, designs, and installations.

Artemisia Nursery

Plant Nursery & Garden Shop

Expert Answer

When you clip the stem of the plant, follow it back to a place where there are two leaves growing. That way, you won't just have a bare stem sticking out of the top of the plant.
Question

Where can I buy elderberry jelly?

Zora Degrandpre, ND
Natural Health Doctor
Dr. Degrandpre is a Licensed Naturopathic Physician in Vancouver, Washington. She is also a grant reviewer for the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. She received her ND from the National College of Natural Medicine in 2007.

Zora Degrandpre, ND

Natural Health Doctor

Expert Answer

Most large grocery stores should carry elderberry jelly. If you can't find it in your local store, look for nearby farms that may produce elderberry jams and jellies. You can also search online for elderberry products.

Warnings

Only harvest ripe elderberries, and don’t save or prepare any of the stems, leaves, or bark. In several cases of elderberry poisonings, people were either eating under-ripe berries or eating/drinking some other part of the plant.^{[23]
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Thanks!
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