Sediment in Bottom of Elderflower Cordial

[vikkib]

I made my first batch of elderflower cordial Thursday morning and bottled it up yesterday morning before going to work.

I followed the recipe in the 'Good Housekeeping Complete Book of Preserving'.

(Thank you VC for the recommendation! http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ook_72813.html)

I left the bottles on the worktop yesterday and when I got back there was some sediment at the bottom of the bottles.

It's quite tricky to get a pic of but I did my best!

Is this ok/normal?

I plan to make another batch so if there's a problem with the sediment any tips on how to avoid it would be very welcome!

[rustylady]

No picture and no recipe Vikki

[vikkib]

No picture and no recipe Vikki

Yikes! I can't even claim it was too early... 10am this morning and my brain wasn't in gear!

Pic now attached and the recipe is:

20 large elderflower heads
1800g sugar
4 lemons, washed and sliced
50g tartaric acid
4.6 litres boiling water

This is actually double all the quantities in the book as I wanted a larger batch.

I didn't actually boil all the water as I was nervous of scalding the flowers as I'd read in a few places so I boiled about 1.5 litres and dissolved the sugar in that then added the remaining the 3.1 litres then added everything else as per the recipe.

[rustylady]

I can't actually see any sediment, but my eyes aren't what they used to be

If there is any, then it's probably wild yeast from the flowers. Shouldn't do any harm, but watch that your cordial doesn't start to ferment.

[vikkib]

I can't actually see any sediment, but my eyes aren't what they used to be

If there is any, then it's probably wild yeast from the flowers. Shouldn't do any harm, but watch that your cordial doesn't start to ferment.

I'll keep on eye, or more likely a nose on it to check it's not fermenting... would be a little ironic if this ends up fermenting and the elderflower fizz I bottled up last night doesn't!

[ohbeary]

Vikki, the sediment is pollen and other debris from the flowers, it is way too soon for a yeast sediment add a couple of crushed Campden Tablets (fruit preserving tablets) after siphoning or pouring carefully off the sediment.

[MrsCordial]

Hello. I make elderflower cordial every year. I've never noticed sediment, but then I haven't looked for it! If I did see any it wouldn't bother me, unless there was a dodgy smell.

I've just made elderflower fizz too. The last batch I made, about five years ago, didn't do anything much, so my expectations aren't too high!