Give Your Immune System a Tasty Boost With the Best Dried Elderberries
A Guide to Buying the Best Dried Elderberries
Elderberries can be enjoyed as a delicious, guilt-free treat that gives a powerful antioxidant boost to your overall health and wellness. Here are a few things to look for when adding this superfood to your pantry staples.
Purity and Potency
European and North American cultivars each produce elderberries with their own unique flavor profiles and standards for purity. Elderberries should be harvested and packaged as purely as possible for safe consumption and nutrient provision. When buying dried elderberries, look for products with no added sugars, preservatives, or other additives as these can affect both taste and shelf life negatively. Products that have been certified organic by either the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) or the European Union (EU) are guaranteed not to have been produced using synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.
Color
Due to their natural oxidation process during drying and storage, the color of elderberries can vary, even within a single bag or container. Generally, you want to look for deep purple-black coloration indicating the elderberries were properly stored and cared for as lighter shades can indicate poor handling or aging over time. Also, look for elderberries with consistent color throughout the bag as this usually means they are fresher than those with patches of green or brown discoloration.
Size and Twigs
Before purchasing dried elderberries, make sure that all stems and twigs have been removed as these can have a negative effect on both the flavor and texture of your recipes. Selecting berries with consistent size throughout will further ensure more even cooking results as well as better visual presentation when used in desserts or baked goods. In addition, larger berries tend to be sweeter than smaller ones due to more concentrated levels of natural sugars within them.
Packaging
Once purchased and opened, dried elderberries are best stored in resealable bags or containers to keep them as fresh as possible. Check if your chosen brand offers resealable packaging options before purchasing. Also, look for airtight packaging made from BPA-free materials as these are best for safe food storage and longer shelf life.
Shelf Life
The shelf life of any dried produce depends largely on how well it has been stored after harvest and how well it was packaged. Check the expiration date on the package to be sure you have plenty of time to use the elderberries for any planned recipes.
Picking The Best Dried Elderberries
Purify Life Dried Elderberries – Best Overall
Purify Life Organic Elderberries take the top spot for whole elderberries that are naturally grown, harvested, and processed for the absolute best of the best nutritional benefits. These elderberries are 100% organic with no added sugar, chemicals, or other additives to disrupt the full absorption of their potent antioxidants. Packed with care to be organically food-safe and shelf-stable, each container has a full pound of elderberries that are great for making syrups, and teas, and adding fruity flavor to countless recipes. A scoop is included for precise measuring, allowing you to easily add these dried berries to foods and beverages to optimize your overall health and well-being.
Pros
- Good size berries with rich flavor
- No stems or twigs
- Comes with a measuring tool
- Shelf-stable and food-safe
Cons
- Cannot be consumed raw
Frontier Dried Elderberries – Best Flavor for Teas
Frontier Co-op’s commitment to both health and the environment means they never use any artificial additives or chemicals in the growing and processing of their elderberries. Sourced from farms in Bulgaria, these berries are grown with unique cropping techniques that preserve moisture to create optimal flavor and texture in each cluster. The dried European whole berries have a robust, tangy flavor that develops as they are mixed in foods and beverages. These elderberries bring more to the table than just great flavor, they are also packed with ten times more antioxidants than most berries. Overall, Frontier Co-op’s dried berries are a great choice for any recipe that you aim to keep healthy, pure, and delicious.
Pros
- Generous quantity
- Grown to optimize and preserve flavor
- Organic and freshly packed
- Helps boost the immune system
Cons
- Consuming too much can upset the stomach
Starwest Botanicals Dried Elderberries – Most Intense Flavor
Starwest Botanicals Organic ElderBerries are cultivated in Croatia, making this an exotic, international product with a unique and intense flavor. These elderberries add a fruity zest to teas, natural sweetness to syrups, savory flavor to soups or sauces, and a balanced sweetness that compliments any other ingredients added during the cooking process. The natural flavors are purely derived, maintaining all the nutritional value and antioxidant properties of the berries without any preservatives, colors, flavorings, or other additives. Whether used as an ingredient for drink mixers or cooking, these dried organic berries from Starwest Botanicals are sure to add a delightful boost of flavor and nutrition to any meal.
Pros
- Good-sized berries
- Sweet, tangy flavor
- Fresh and organic
- Packed with antioxidants
Cons
- Some may not like the intense flavor
MagJo Dried Elderberries – Best for Flu, Cold, and Allergies
The elderberries from Magjo Naturals are wild-harvested by local collectors in the Lake Skadar region of Europe. No chemicals are used in these wild-grown berries, making them organic and loaded with nutrients. Packed with vitamin C and other natural anti-inflammatories and antioxidants, these dried elderberries can help prevent or reduce the severity of common colds, cases of flu, infections, and allergies. Plus, since they are grown in their natural environment, each berry evolves to create potent nutrients from the rich soil to create a wonderful and unique flavor. These dried elderberries are great in jams, pies, and tea. They’re the most delicious way to get a daily boost of immunity.
Pros
- Wild-harvested and 100% natural
- Wonderful fruity aroma and taste
- Packed with Vitamin C
- Can help prevent colds and flu
Cons
- May not always alleviate symptoms
Naturtonix Dried Elderberries – Best Value
If you are just discovering all the health benefits of elderberries, this is the perfectly portioned pack to begin your healthy food journey. Great for making teas, syrups, jams, gummies, and other culinary creations, these dried elderberries are naturally-sourced powerhouses of Vitamins A, B6, iron, potassium, and other nutrients. The high dose of antioxidants can help to boost the immune system, prevent common colds and flu, and cleanse the body of toxins. And since Natrutonix only uses wildcrafted berries, they are picked straight from the tree, just as nature intended. The tangy, sweet, and sour flavor, beautiful dark purple hues, and fruity aroma make these dried elderberries the perfect introduction to pleasing your palette and pocketbook, all while giving your health a superpower dose of antioxidants.
Pros
- Helps boost immunity
- Wildcrafted for purity and potency
- Balanced sweet and sour flavor
- Great starter portion and value
Cons
- Can take longer to prepare
People Also Asked
A: Elderberries are dark purple berries that grow from the European elder tree. These berries have been used for centuries to treat a wide variety of ailments including the common cold, allergies, tooth pain, and much more. Elderberries have natural antiviral and antibacterial properties, making them powerful antioxidants that can help boost the immune system, fight fatigue, cleanse the body of toxins, enhance mood, and provide many more benefits to overall health and wellness.
A: Dried elderberries are a rich source of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Potassium, Copper, Manganese, and Iron. They are also known to have antioxidant properties which can boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, and help combat disease. Additionally, they have been found to have anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties.
A: Elderberries cannot be consumed raw due to the potential for gastrointestinal discomfort, so they are cooked to be safely enjoyed in teas, syrups, juices, gummies, tonics, and other recipes. Fresh elderberries have a shelf life of just a few days, so most people prefer to cook using dried berries that will keep for longer. They are delicious in teas, pies, syrups, and wines and can even be made into a homemade remedy for colds and flu called a tincture.
A: Elderberries have a tangy, sweet, and tart taste with flavor profiles that change as they are cooked and blended with other ingredients. Due to their health benefits and versatile use, they are perfect for baked goods, mixing with other fruits, and making wine and cocktails among other culinary creations.
A: The best way to store dried elderberries is in an airtight container in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight or sources of heat or moisture.
A: The most common side effect of consuming dried elderberries is nausea or stomach upset due to their high acidity. Additionally, those with allergies to plants in the same family as the elderberry should avoid consuming them as cross-reactivity is possible.
A: Some brands may include additional ingredients such as natural sweeteners (honey, maple syrup, etc.), herbs, and spices. These ingredients should always be clearly marked on the label of the product, so be sure to read it carefully before purchasing.
