Next time you see an elderflower tree, pick some of the fresh flowers because they add nice flavor to honey + have medicinal benefits. The honey and elderflower combination is an effective remedy for a sore throat, early-season cold, and allergies. Add elderflower honey to tea or simply enjoy it by the healing spoonful. We mix it with fresh lemon juice and carbonated water for a refreshing lemonade.

Choose the size of the jar to determine how much of the flowers and honey you’ll need. You need only enough flowers to fill the jar loosely, followed by the honey. Don’t toss out extra flowers! Dry them and use them for tea.

Makes 8 ounces

¼ cup (or more) freshly picked elderflower heads

8 oz. fresh, local honey, or more as needed

1. Rinse the flowers with water. Remove and de-stem the blooms from the branches and set aside. You should have a pile of lovely small, white flowers, free of bark, stems, and immature fruit.

2. Loosely pack the flowers into an 8-oz. jar with a lid and pour the honey over them. Use a chopstick or knife to stir the honey and elderflowers gently to release any trapped air and submerge the flowers in the honey. If needed, top off and fill to the brim with more honey. Secure the lid and set aside to infuse for 1 week.

3. Strain the elderflowers out of the honey using a small sieve, pouring the infused honey into a second clean jar and sealing with a lid. Store in a cool, dark place, such as a pantry, for up to 6 months.

Kelly Harrington, MS, RDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for Healthy Goods

Recipe courtesy of Sunset.