Dried Elderberries (Bayas de Saúco), 4 oz Black Elderberry

Whole dried elderberries, 4 oz. Sambucus nigra, the black elderberry, grown and harvested in Albania, and known as bayas de saúco or simply saúco in Spanish. One ingredient, nothing added.

What they look like

Small, whole, shrivelled berries about the size of a peppercorn, deep purple to near black, with the odd paler brown one through the mix. Whole berries, not cut and not powdered, which is exactly what the photograph on this page shows.

Cook them. Always.

Elderberries are simmered or cooked before use, never eaten raw. Raw berries can upset the stomach. Every method below cooks them, and that is not an optional refinement.

How to make elderberry tea from the whole berries

Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of dried elderberries to 10 fl oz of boiling water, cover and simmer for 15 minutes, then remove from heat, strain and drink. Simmered, not steeped. A dried berry has to be opened up by heat and time, and a few minutes in a mug will not do it.

The other ways they are used

Beyond the tea, the label lists elderberry tincture, and the berries can be added to foods, smoothies and juices once cooked. Syrup is the other common route, and it is the same principle: a long simmer, then strain.

What they taste like

Deep, dark and tart, closer to a berry than to a floral tea, with a jammy note once cooked.

What is in the bag

Whole dried elderberries and nothing else. One ingredient, no fillers, no additives, no flavouring. Naturally caffeine free.

Where they come from

Organic or wildcrafted. Country of origin Albania, printed on the bag.

How to store them

Tightly closed in a dry place at room temperature, 59 to 86°F (15 to 30°C), as printed on the bag.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I buy dried elderberries?
Here. This is 4 oz of whole organic or wildcrafted dried elderberries from Albania, one ingredient. Orders leave in 1 to 2 business days, and we ship worldwide with duty pre paid for most countries.

What do you do with dried elderberries?
Simmer them. The label lists tea and tincture, and once cooked they can be added to foods, smoothies and juices. Syrup is the other common use. What you do not do is eat them raw.

Do dried elderberries need to be cooked?
Yes. Raw elderberries can upset the stomach, so always cook or simmer them before use. Cooking is part of every syrup and tea recipe.

How do you make elderberry syrup from dried elderberries?
Simmer half a cup of dried elderberries in 3 cups of water for about 45 minutes, until the liquid reduces by half. Strain, press the berries, let it cool, then stir in a sweetener of your choice. Keep it refrigerated. The full method is in our elderberry syrup recipe.

Should I buy the loose berries or the tea bags?
Depends on how much work you want to do. These loose berries simmer for 15 minutes and give you syrup, tincture and tea from one bag. Our Elderberry Tea Supplement is 24 unbleached bags at 2,000 mg each, steeped for 3 to 5 minutes, and it is the easier daily cup. The berries are the better buy if you want to make syrup.

What do elderberries taste like?
Deep, dark and tart, closer to a berry than a floral tea, with a jammy note once cooked.

¿Qué es el saúco?
El saúco es la baya seca del Sambucus nigra, conocida como bayas de saúco. En inglés se llama elderberry. Nuestra bolsa trae 4 oz de bayas enteras orgánicas o silvestres de Albania, un solo ingrediente. Nota: el saúco siempre se cocina antes de usar, nunca crudo.

PRECAUTIONS

• Always cook dried elderberries before use. Raw elderberries can upset the stomach.
• Not for use during pregnancy or nursing.
• Not recommended for anyone under 18.
• Individuals with known medical conditions should consult a physician before use.
• Keep out of reach of children.

DIRECTIONS:

To make elderberry tea, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of dried elderberries to 10 fl oz of boiling water. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, strain, then enjoy. Elderberries are also traditionally prepared as a tincture, and can be added to foods, smoothies and juices once cooked.

Always cook dried elderberries before use. Raw elderberries can upset the stomach.

Store tightly closed in a dry place at room temperature, 59 to 86°F (15 to 30°C).

• Processing Time: Orders ship within 1 to 2 business days.
• Refunds: 100% satisfaction guarantee. Contact within 30 days of receipt, return unused portions at your expense, and receive a full refund upon receipt.
• Customs Duty Tax: Pre-paid and covered for most countries.