Can You Freeze Elderberries?

Quick Answer : Can You Freeze Elderberries?

It is possible to freeze elderberries, but you have to be careful. The tiny size of these fruits makes them challenging to freeze properly. They require adequate preparation before freezing. For example, the elderberry plant’s stems and seeds are poisonous. You can become sick if you consume them in large quantities. So, we suggest you follow the proper procedure for freezing elderberries.

How Do You Freeze Elderberries?

Here is how you do it.

1. We suggest you be cautious when choosing the elderberries you want to freeze. First, please avoid selecting elderberries with damaged stems. Secondly, green elderberries do not freeze well. We advise selecting ripe elderberries that are ready for consumption.
2. Wash the fruits well and allow them to dry. Moisture content on the surface can lead to ice crystal formation and subsequent condensation issues.
3. Please remove the stems from each fruit before you freeze them. It is the most challenging part because the fruits are tiny. Secondly, please ensure the fruits do not show any signs of spoiling. You can discard such fruits immediately.
4. Place the elderberries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread the berries evenly on the sheet and push the tray into the freezer for thirty minutes allowing the elderberries to flash freeze.
5. Once the elderberries are frozen solid, you can easily transfer them to a freezer bag. The flash freezing process prevents the elderberries from clumping together. Besides, it becomes easy to remove the individual elderberries for defrosting rather than freeze the clump of fruits together.
6. Squeeze the excess air out from the freezer bag before sealing it. Label the bag with the freezing date and set the contents to freeze inside the freezer.

How Do You Freeze Elderberry Syrup?

If you find the elderberries too tiny to freeze, you can prepare elderberry syrup and freeze it. Under such circumstances, we advise freezing the syrup in small consumable portions rather than freezing the entire syrup together.

1. Cool the elderberry syrup to room temperature. Freezing it warm can be harmful because of condensation issues. Besides, freezing warm food can affect the other foods in the freezer.
2. Scoop a spoonful of elderberry syrup into each ice cube compartment of an ice cube tray. You can also use silicone trays for convenience. Please leave a small gap at the top to allow the syrup to expand while freezing.
3. Place the ice cube tray into the freezer and allow the syrup to solidify. We suggest placing the tray flat inside the freezer to prevent the spilling of the syrup inside it. The process can take a few hours.
4. Once the syrup has solidified into cubes, you can scoop the cubes into a freezer-safe ziplock bag. Press the bag gently to allow the residual air to escape. It is also possible to vacuum seal the bag. Alternatively, you can suck the air out using a straw.
5. Seal the bag and label it with the freezing date.
6. Push the freezer bag into the freezer and allow the elderberry syrup to continue freezing.

How Long Can You Freeze Elderberries In The Freezer?

You can comfortably keep the elderberries frozen for six to eight months if you follow the above procedure. However, subsequently, the berries can degrade.

How Do You Defrost The Frozen Elderberries?

Generally, you do not need to defrost the elderberries. You can use them in the frozen state in various recipes. We suggest following the recipe properly and adding the frozen elderberries when required.

Can You Refreeze Elderberries?

Freezing the elderberries repeatedly changes their texture. So, we do not recommend refreezing elderberries. The texture could change irrevocably, leading to the fruits getting spoiled.

Can You Freeze Elderberry Syrup?

We have discussed how to freeze elderberry syrup.

Can You Freeze Elderberry Juice?

Elderberry juice is different from elderberry syrup. The syrup is thicker than the juice. However, you can freeze elderberry juice the same way you freeze elderberry syrup. The ice cube tray method is ideal. You can also freeze elderberry juice in muffin cups. Alternatively, you can pour the liquid into small ziplock bags and flash freeze before packing them into larger freezer bags for continuous freezing.

Can You Freeze Elderberry Gummies?

Elderberry gummies are similar to elderberry syrup. You can freeze them the way you freeze elderberry syrup. Once the elderberry gummies have solidified in their molds, you can transfer them to freezer bags and pack them inside the freezer to last for six to twelve months.

Can You Freeze Elderberry Flowers?

It is possible to freeze elderberry flowers for three months. You can create a cordial and freeze the flowers in an ice cube tray with water. However, freezing the flowers directly in the freezer can ruin them.

Can You Freeze Elderberry Pie?

Elderberry pie is like any other fruit pie that freezes well. You can place the elderberry pie in a freezer bag and freeze it for four months.

Can You Freeze The Dried Elderberries?

It is possible to freeze the dried elderberries in freezer bags or airtight containers.

Can You Freeze Elderberry Cordial?

Generally, you can use plastic bottles to freeze elderberry cordial. However, please leave some space at the top to enable the cordial to expand during freezing. If you wish to freeze elderberry cordial for recipes, we suggest the ice cube tray method. It is more convenient.

Can You Freeze Elderflower Jam?

Freezing elderflower jam can keep it fresh and edible for six to eight months.

Can You Freeze Elderflower Jelly?

Elderberry jelly does not freeze well. Hence, we suggest consuming them immediately rather than freezing them.

Can You Freeze Elderberry Extract?

Elderberry extract is similar to elderberry syrup. We have already discussed how to freeze elderberry syrup.

Final Words

Elderberries are tangy berries that grow in the summer months. These tiny fruits are excellent for making syrups, juices, and even wine. Elderberries are tasty fruits but available in specific seasons. Hence, there can be questions about its storage.

However, since they are seasonal, it can be challenging to get elderberries whenever you want. So, how about storing them? One of the most typical questions is, Can you freeze elderberries? We have seen how to freeze elderberries after removing their stem. So, freezing elderberries should not be a problem.