How To Store Elderberries For Long Term: Step-By-Step Guide

If you’ve picked some elderberries and want to keep them from going bad, this guide is perfect for you. We’ll show you the right way to prepare and store elderberries, so they stay tasty for a long time. We’ll cover how to pick the right berries, the best containers for keeping them, how to freeze them, and some important tips to stay safe while doing it. You’ll learn everything you need to keep your elderberries in good shape.

Storing Elderberries the Right Way

Step 1 – Carefully Wash the Elderberries

Washing your elderberries well is very important. This stops dirt or anything else on the berries from making them go off too quickly.

To clean your elderberries well, put them into a big bowl or in the sink filled with cool water. Move them around gently with your hands to wash them without squashing them. Using a colander or strainer can help you lift them out of the water without trouble after you’re done.

After washing, let the water drain off and then pat the berries dry with a towel or paper kitchen roll. Be gentle! Elderberries can get squashed easily.

Getting your elderberries clean before you store them keeps them from getting bad stuff on them and helps them last longer and stay yummy.

Step 2 – Lay the Elderberries Out to Dry

Once your elderberries are washed and dried, spread them out in just one layer on something clean and dry like a baking sheet. Make sure the berries aren’t piled on each other so they can dry all over.

The place where you dry them should also not be wet or dirty so the berries don’t get spoiled. Keeping the surface dry and clean means the berries will keep being good while they dry off.

Step 3 – Let the Elderberries Air Dry Well

Now it’s time to let your elderberries dry out in the air. This might take a few hours or even a whole day, depending on the weather and how wet the air is. They need to be super dry before you store them so no mold grows. If berries are still wet, they can stick together and be hard to store.

If you want them to dry faster, move them to a place with good air flow and not much dampness, maybe near a sunny window or in a dehydrator. Give them a gentle mix now and then so they dry evenly.

When they’re all dry, they should feel a little crispy outside but soft inside. Put them in an airtight container and they can stay good for a whole year.

Step 4 – Use Airtight Containers for Storing Dry Elderberries

After the berries are all dry, you need an airtight container like a jar or a ziplock bag to keep them in. Sealing them tight keeps them fresh and stops them from getting dirty or going off.

When putting them in the container, be gentle to avoid crushing them. If you store them the right way, their special taste will last for a long time.

Step 5 – Keep the Container in a Cool, Dark Spot

Find a cool and dry place away from sunlight for your container of elderberries. Somewhere that stays between 32-41°F (0-5°C) like a cupboard or basement is perfect. Stay away from heat or damp areas because they can make the berries go bad or get moldy. In the right place, your elderberries can stay fresh for weeks or even months.

Step 6 – Use Silica Gel in Jars to Keep Berries Dry

If you’re putting elderberries in a jar, try adding a small packet of silica gel. It’s something that sucks up extra dampness, helping the berries stay dry and last longer.

Always follow the instructions that come with the silica gel on how much to use. You can find the packets in places that sell stuff for making jams or even in the baking aisle of a supermarket. Open up a packet and pop it into the jar with your elderberries.

With the silica gel helping out, your elderberries should stay even fresher, giving you more time to enjoy their benefits and taste.

Step 7 – Enjoy Your Elderberries for Months

Stored well, your elderberries will stay high quality for a long time. Keep checking them and throw away any that look spoiled.

When you want to use some, just rinse what you need under cool water. Elderberries are great for making jams, jellies, syrups, wine, or adding to smoothies,

Add elderberries to your oatmeal, or yogurt to make your meal more nutritious.

Store elderberries the right way by following these easy steps, so you can enjoy their special taste and health benefits for a long time.

How long can you keep elderberries fresh?

Elderberries will stay fresh for a good amount of time if you store them the right way. Keep them in a sealed container in a cool and dry spot. If you keep them away from sunlight, the berries can stay fresh for a few months.

Should elderberries be kept in the fridge?

Keeping elderberries in the fridge isn’t necessary, as long as they are in a sealed container in a place that’s cool, dry, and has no direct sunlight. If you put them in the fridge, they might lose their taste and get mushy. So it’s usually better to store them somewhere else.

Whether you have fresh or dried elderberries, if the weather is hot or humid, it might be a good idea to keep them in the fridge. Just make sure they are dry when you put them in a sealed container in the fridge, since any moisture can make them moldy or go bad.

Always store your elderberries in a place without sunlight, and where it’s cool and dry. This will help them stay tasty and good quality. Use your elderberries soon after you get them for the best taste.

Is it possible to freeze elderberries for later?

Yes, you can freeze elderberries to use them another time. This is a smart thing to do if you have too many elderberries and can’t eat them all right away, or if you want to save them for future recipes.

Here’s how to freeze your elderberries:

1. Gently wash the elderberries under cool water to get rid of dirt or anything else on them.
2. Lay the berries out on a clean, dry surface like a baking sheet, but make sure they are just one layer.
3. Let the elderberries air dry until they are completely dry. This could take a few hours or even a whole day.
4. After the berries are totally dry, put them in a bag you can seal again or a container that’s airtight. Try to get out as much air as possible from the bag or container to stop freezer burn.
5. Write on the bag or container what’s inside and the date, and then put it in the freezer.

You can keep elderberries frozen for about a year without losing their quality. When you’re ready to use the frozen berries, you can thaw them in the fridge or leave them out at room temperature until they’re not frozen anymore.

Frozen elderberries will be softer and more fragile than fresh ones, so they might not be perfect for every recipe. But they are still great for making things like jams, jellies, syrups, or pastries. Because they are more delicate when frozen, be careful when you use them to avoid squishing them.