De-stalking Elderberries

Richie_asg1 · Aug 23, 2019

This is one thing I hate about using elderberries as it takes an absolute age.

I have just found this -

Using a grid seems a lot quicker to get 90% done anyway.

I have a couple of disposable BBQ's, and they usually have a rather sharp expanded steel grid that I will be trying this year. I am thinking of just bagging up the charcoal and giving the foil pan and the grid a wash -then put back together again to remove the berries.
....May have to cut a gap in the side so I can pour them out.

Sounds like a plan?

BeerCat · Aug 23, 2019

The bbq stuff has very sharp edges and is very flimsy but i like the idea. I am planning on doing 25l this year so how much time would it save? Only made it once and did it with a fork, cant remember how long it took.

Edit; thinking about it would save a load of time.

AntComo · Aug 23, 2019

We're looking to work with elderberries soon so thanks for the video.

Any additional tips for de-seeding them?

Richie_asg1 · Aug 23, 2019

The only other problem I've had with them is that they mould very quickly - overnight!

I suppose getting them in a pan / bucket with water or a campden tablet would stop this? Just something to watch out for.

BeerCat · Aug 23, 2019

Would you do that before you freeze if you do so? Mine ended up in blocks of ice last year so getting a better sieve.

BeerCat · Sep 2, 2019

Seems to be a very bad year for elderberries. The trees are hardly baring any fruit. At least where i normally go.

An Ankoù · Sep 2, 2019

AntComo said:
We're looking to work with elderberries soon so thanks for the video.

Any additional tips for de-seeding them?

We're a bit ahead of you here darn sarf and I started mine a couple of weeks ago. Picked elderberries, de-stemmed them with an ordinary fork with the help of our lass over a pint or ten of something strong and wonderful. Poured a gallon of boiling water over them the following morning (as too ******, at the end of de-stalking, to handle boiling water) and left them until the next day before chucking yeast on. Forgot about them for three days then the smell reminded me they were there and strained them onto the sugar and into the demijohn. All going well. Had a taste today and all sweet and good and fizzy.
Q. Why do you need to de-seed them?

Richie_asg1 · Sep 2, 2019

Birds had got to all of them up here, so no joy this time.

The only upside is I saw a deer that was checking out the fields of barley, and had crossed the path I was on behind me when I was out looking.

Hoppyland · Sep 3, 2019

A long time since I made elderberry wine. However, what I used to do was freeze the whole cluster of berries (I organised enough space in a chest freezer for a decent autumn harvest). Once frozen solid, the berries would strip very easily from the stems - and could be kept frozen for delayed use if required.

BeerCat · Sep 4, 2019

Are you sure it's the birds? I have a tree in my garden and never noticed it producing many berries. All local trees are the same, makes me wonder if they have bad years.

BeerCat · Sep 4, 2019

Are you sure it's the birds? I have a tree in my garden and never noticed it producing many berries. All local trees are the same, makes me wonder if they have bad years.

Richie_asg1 · Sep 4, 2019

It's possible, but the stalks that were left had a few unripe berries still on there and were the normal size.
Must remember to go and check sooner next time.

Rodj · Sep 5, 2019

Hoppyland said:
what I used to do was freeze the whole cluster of berries (I organised enough space in a chest freezer for a decent autumn harvest). Once frozen solid, the berries would strip very easily from the stems

I do the same; the frozen berries strip off very easily with a fork. However, the stalks are also brittle when frozen, and I find that some berries have bits of stalk snapped off and attached to them, so after stripping the berries I go through them and try to remove every bit of green, because I have read in several sources that the stalks (and green berries) are mildly poisonous: i.e. can give you a tummy upset. This process results in frozen fingers, and takes much longer than actually stripping the berries. Also, if the berries start to de-freeze you get a mess.
Does anyone else remove every bit of green, or does anyone chance it and put bits of stalk in the brew? If so, have you suffered any after-effects which are distinguishable from intoxication and a hangover?

CeeGee · Sep 6, 2019

Turn on the telly, get a bowl and use a fork. If they’re ripe, they strip easy. Takes a while, but worth it. You get the odd bit of stem, but not enough to worry about. Cover the berries with cold water, stir gently. Insects and most of the unripe or gammy berries will float to the top, spoon off and discard. Repeat stirring a couple of times, then drain. I use them there and then, or freeze them in ziplock bags until I have enough.

I’ve been caught off guard this year, Everything seems to have ripened early so my haul is quite pathetic, will probably do an elderberry blackberry mix. Waiting for sloes now, fancy a go at sloe wine.

De-stalking Elderberries

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