eating elderberries?

[newboy74]

Are elderberries edible, I ate stacks with my cereal last year no problem but have recently been told they are poisonous, t'internet says they contain "cyanide producing glycocide" - can ripe ones be eaten raw or do they need cooking?

[chris]

Any green from the elder tree is poisonous. The berries need to be fully dark before you eat them. I've heard the need to cook them, but have seen various people and videos eating them straight from the tree when fully ripe.

[newboy74]

Thanks Chris, that's encouraging. Determined to get as much from the wild without poisoning myself so will continue to self experiment in moderation. Wild mushrooms are a step to far - way to risky for my limited knowledge.

[newboy74]

sorry, should have put that on the "what I foraged today" thread. still learning the rules.

[rustylady]

They're as sour as h*ll raw - how can you eat them like that?

[newboy74]

they offset branflakes perfectly - or too sleepy to notice the sourness

[Two_Sheds]

So ... you're sure they're elderberries then?

[ancee]

They're not only sour but they leave a funny coating on your teeth too! Ooh no thanks

[daviddevantnhisspiritwife]

I will only consume them fermented, and even then I wait a year at least.

I hear that cordial is quite palatable.

If you picked them today - are you sure they were elderberries? Locally the flowers have not all gone and the berries will be a while yet. We are in South Wales, but, still seems early to me.