Elderberries Delivery or Pickup

Fresh elderberries have a short shelf life. If using within a few days, keep your elderberries in the refrigerator crisper set to low humidity. If you have lots of elderberries or are stockpiling elderberries for use in a recipe, freezing is the best way to lock in flavor and prevent spoilage. To freeze elderberries:

Alternately, remove the elderberries from their stems and freeze them on a large baking tray. Once frozen, place the berries in a plastic freezer bag. This method prevents the berries from clumping together in the freezer.

Drying elderberries is also a great way to preserve elderberries. Once dried, elderberries should be stored in a sealed jar away from sunlight and heat—store elderberry syrup in the refrigerator, where it will stay fresh for several months.

Fans of the elderberry have enjoyed foraging for the berry for centuries. Although commercially grown elderberries are still uncommon, it is much safer to buy them in a supermarket instead of foraging. Unless you are familiar with the various kinds of elderberries, you could end up with berries that will make you very sick. Even the berries from the European elderberry and the American Elderberry are toxic when unripe. Buying your elderberries off the supermarket shelves ensures that you get berries that are ripe and safe for consumption.