Elderberries juice contains many important nutrients and is quite delicious to drink. It is also said to have medicinal properties such as being beneficial to those suffering from flu symptoms. Various cultures around the world have used elderberry juice as folk remedies for centuries. Elderberries commonly grow in moist soil along rivers and streams, and they are a favorite berry of foragers who collect them in order to use juicers to produce fresh juice. However, caution is advised when selecting the best elderberries for juicing.

Avoid Red Elderberries

Elderberries with black or purple fruit are recommended over those with red fruit. Many reports of illness have surfaced throughout the years involving the drinking of juice produced from red elderberries. Red elderberries grow in the cooler regions of North America and the fruit is a very bright red when ripe. Some experts say that if the seeds are carefully removed from them after they are picked, there is no danger of ingesting toxins from consuming them. However, the beginner should err on the side of caution and avoid them.

Harvesting Elderberries From the Wild

Elderberries resemble small bunches of grapes, and they are most often found growing wild in rich soil near water sources. Depending on geographical location, they ripen between the months of August and October. Elderberry bushes are quite prolific, so the proceeds of the harvest of just one bush may be enough to provide an average family with several glasses of fresh juice. Elderberries are easy to pick because they grow in clusters, but after they are picked, the stems will need to be removed before they are put through a juicer. This is best done at the kitchen table after returning home from a berry-picking excursion.

Making Elderberry Juice

After the berries are taken home and the best elderberries for juicing are selected, it’s easy to make them into juice using a juicer in the home kitchen. Elderberry juice produces a light and slightly floral taste that almost everyone enjoys. Many people use the juice to make elderberry syrup to use as a home remedy for coughs, cold and flu.